Citing a humanitarian crisis, Gov. Greg Abbott’s office Monday evening announced he’ll be visiting Mission to discuss border security, a trip to the region that comes after he and President Joe Biden traded criticism over the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in Texas.
According to a news release, Abbott will be at Anzalduas Park in Mission around noon Tuesday. The event will follow talks the governor is expected to have with authorities from the U.S. Border Patrol, Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas National Guard.
He’s also planning an aerial tour of the border, the release read.
Reacting to news of Abbott lifting the statewide mask mandate last week, Biden’s criticism of such actions was sharp in tone, referring to the decision as “Neanderthal thinking.”
Abbott responded by targeting Biden’s immigration policies, saying on Twitter that the president has been “recklessly releasing hundreds of illegal immigrants who have COVID into Texas communities.”
The gubernatorial visit also comes amid the launch of Operation Lonestar, a multi-agency law enforcement effort to curtail human smuggling at the border.
The Monitor has previously reported about increased DPS presence due to Abbott’s call to beef up law enforcement in the region and along the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas being observed in the Starr County area, specifically.
