Texas is adding multiple new vehicle inspection checkpoints targeting semitrucks after dozens of migrants were found dead in a semitruck abandoned near San Antonio.
“The bodies of at least 46 people were initially found in the tractor-trailer in the sweltering Texas heat, officials said. Sixteen others, including four children, were hospitalized, San Antonio Fire Chief Charles Hood said,” NBC News reported. “The tragedy’s death toll rose to 51 on Tuesday afternoon, Bexar County officials said at a news conference, and some of the deceased could be teenagers who never reached adulthood.”
Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced the new security measures during a press conference on Wednesday.
“President Biden needs to focus on addressing the humanitarian crisis his reckless leadership has created at the border, instead of attacking the jobs of hardworking Texans and oil production in the Permian Basin,” Abbott said. “The Lone Star State will not sit idly by as the federal government chooses to ignore the historic number of illegal crossings, human smuggling, and drug trafficking of deadly fentanyl from Mexico into the United States.”
“Our government has no greater responsibility than to provide public safety to its citizens,” he added. “Until President Biden decides to uphold immigration laws passed by Congress, the State of Texas will continue utilizing every tool available to secure the border and keep Texans – and Americans – safe.”
According to a press release from Abbott’s office, Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) “is deploying strike teams, each consisting of 20 troopers, to the Eagle Pass region to detect and deter unlawful border crossings and apprehend illegal immigrants. Additional strike teams will be deployed to high traffic crossing areas as needed.”
“DPS will be implementing new vehicle inspection checkpoints targeting semi-trucks beginning immediately,” the press release said, adding that the “Texas Military Department will be deploying more razor wire along the Rio Grande, adding more miles of fencing and barriers on state and local property, and deploying additional boat teams.”
