Texas Governor Greg Abbott has appointed veteran Border Patrol agent Mike Banks as the first-ever border czar amid the surge of illegal migrant crossings into the state.
The new special adviser on border matters to the governor will be tasked with helping Governor Abbott develop and implement a comprehensive border strategy for the state. This comes at a time when the Texas southern border is being overrun by thousands of migrants from Central America and other nations.
The creation of the border czar position comes as Texas faces a sharp increase in the number of illegal migrant crossings. According to Fox News, Border Patrol agents have reported a surge in the number of individuals attempting to cross the border illegally, with many of them seeking asylum.
In an announcement yesterday, Governor Abbott called on Banks to use his decades of experience to combat the growing security and humanitarian crisis on our border. Banks has been a Border Patrol agent for more than 20 years and has experience in intelligence, investigations, and interdiction, according to Fox News.
The ongoing crisis on the border is unlike anything we have ever seen before, and the appointment of Mike Banks is the next step in our efforts to address this unprecedented challenge, said Governor Abbott.
Abbott said that Banks would be responsible for coordinating existing state resources and developing new strategies to protect Texans. He also said that Banks would be working closely with local, state, and federal agencies to ensure that Texas is taking every step possible to secure its borders.
Banks himself said that he is honored and humbled to be appointed to the role and that he looks forward to using his experience to help safeguard our state from the increasing threats of human trafficking, drug trafficking, and other criminal activity associated with illegal immigration.
In addition to his new role as Texas border czar, Banks will be accompanying Governor Abbott on a tour of the new border wall that was recently constructed in the Rio Grande Valley. The wall, which is made up of 18-foot steel panels, is meant to be a deterrent to illegal migrants crossing the border.
Governor Abbott has been vocal in his support of the border wall and said in an op-ed to the San Antonio Express-News that it will ensure that we have the security measures in place to protect Texans.
Its clear that Governor Abbott is serious about addressing the surge of illegal migrants crossing the states borders. With the appointment of Mike Banks as the first-ever border czar, it looks like Abbott is taking a proactive approach to the issue.
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