Houston Daily

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has renewed the state's disaster proclamation regarding border security, extending measures first enacted in May 2021. The renewal was issued on November 18, 2025, and continues to designate a state of disaster for dozens of counties along or near the Texas–Mexico border.

The original proclamation was made under Section 418.014 of the Texas Government Code, which allows the governor to declare a disaster when there is an imminent threat. According to Abbott's statement, "the surge of individuals unlawfully crossing the Texas–Mexico border posed an ongoing and imminent threat of disaster for a number of Texas counties and for all state agencies affected by this disaster." The governor noted that conditions prompting the initial declaration still exist.

Abbott's latest action keeps in effect all previous orders, directions, suspensions, and authorizations related to the original May 31, 2021 proclamation. The renewed declaration covers more than 60 counties including Aransas, Brewster, Cameron, El Paso, Hidalgo, Maverick, Starr, Webb, Zapata and others.

"In accordance with the authority vested in me by Section 418.014 of the Texas Government Code," Abbott stated in his proclamation, "I do hereby renew the aforementioned proclamation and declare a disaster for [listed counties], and for all state agencies affected by this disaster. All orders, directions, suspensions, and authorizations provided in the Proclamation of May 31, 2021, as amended and renewed in subsequent proclamations, are in full force and effect."

The order requires copies of the renewed proclamation to be filed with relevant authorities as per statutory requirements.

The document was signed by Governor Greg Abbott in Austin on November 18th and attested by Secretary of State Jane Nelson.