Abbott furious after federal denial of border crisis emergency declaration: 'Biden has turned his back on Texans'

A recent uptick in migration at the U.S.-Mexico border is sparking some noise between federal leaders and Texas state officials.

Gov. Greg Abbott announced that Texas plans to appeal the Federal Emergency Management Agency's denial of the state's Federal Emergency Declaration request over the influx of migrants at the southern border. The Biden administration denied additional federal assistance for the border Sept. 29, according to a press release from the Office of the Texas Governor.

Abbott requested the declaration and additional assistance with the border on Sept. 20 in a letter sent to President Joe Biden, the release said. In the letter he cited a lack of federal enforcement on immigration laws, specifically relating to federal land, that has lead to significant strain on local and state resources.

"President Biden has turned his back on Texans living along the border, and FEMA's refusal to declare a federal emergency at the border puts their health, safety and property at risk," Abbott said in the press release. "The State of Texas is appealing this detrimental decision by FEMA because the Biden administration's refusal to solve the crisis at our border has led to a strain on local, state and federal resources. The surge of over 16,000 migrants at the Del Rio International Bridge is just one of the most recent examples of the federal government's failure to take action. A member of the United States Customs and Border Protection said that order was only maintained thanks to the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Texas National Guard and local stakeholders and the President of the National Border Patrol Council estimated that troopers outnumbered federal agents by three to one."

Houston Public Media reports that the historic surge in migrants has resulted in a massive increase in local and state law enforcement in areas along the border. The increase in state trooper presence has resulted in a heightened issuance of traffic citations and an increase in the number of high-speed chases, typically involving cars containing illegal immigrants.

The press release states that Abbott implemented Operation Lone Star in March to assist in border security and focus on stonewalling human trafficking. Additionally, the Lone Star State governor signed off on House Bill 9 in September, dedicating $1.8 billion to border security efforts.