HUNTER DWORACZYK [email protected]
GEORGETOWN — In a political feud between Governor Greg Abbott and President Joe Biden that centers around immigration laws, the Williamson County Commissioners Court backed the state leader.
Commissioners approved a resolution that supports the governor’s border security efforts during their Tuesday, March 5 meeting.
The resolution said Williamson County commends Abbott for his “dedication to securing the Texas border and for his proactive efforts to address the complex issues associated with illegal immigration and border security.”
“Williamson County endorses policies and initiatives aimed at enhancing border security and pledges our support for Governor Abbott’s leadership in implementing these measures in the state of Texas,” the resolution reads.
While the federal government assumes the responsibility of immigration issues, Abbott has made multiple efforts in Texas, specifically in the border town of Eagle Pass, to deter illegal crossings.
On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a temporary blockage of Texas Senate Bill 4, which, according to Abbott, authorizes Texas law enforcement officers to “arrest and jail any illegal immigrants crossing the border.”
The county resolution concludes by affirming the commissioners court’s support of maintaining secure borders, advocates for federal funds to be spent on controlling the border in alignment with the governor’s initiatives and calls for the federal government to work collaboratively with Abbott’s administration.
Commissioners approved the item in a 3-1 vote. Precinct 1 Commissioner Terry Cook, who ran unopposed in the Democratic party primary the same day, was the lone dissenting vote.
Cook said she was surprised anyone on the commissioners court would bring the resolution on the agenda, citing that counties have no say or impact on immigration. She also was against the resolution speaking for the county as a whole.
“What problem is the commissioners court today trying to solve by bringing forth this proclamation?” Cook said. “Another headline saying, yes, we have a problem at the border. Or could it be just a political problem in an election year?”
Describing an amendment she would like to see in the resolution, Cook mentioned that Williamson County is welcoming to people from Korea and most parts of the globe.
Meanwhile, County Judge Bill Gravell said the resolution might not have much teeth, with no specifically desired policy changes listed, but he wants to do whatever he can to fight the immigration battle.
Gravell made the argument that the issue of fentanyl poisonings supersedes political discussions about immigration.
“We can say that the border crisis has nothing to do with Williamson County, and as far as who is entering legally or illegally, I’ll let others have that debate.” Gravell said. “But one thing that we can’t disagree on is because of the border crisis, fentanyl is clearing our county and is killing our children.”
Precinct 4 Commissioner Russ Boles, who represents Taylor, said he urges the governor to work with Congress to find a solution to securing the border.
“I believe that most of the people who seek to cross illegally would do so legally if given (the) opportunity,” Boles said. “At our heart, I think that we are a country of immigrants. I believe the majority of people who want to migrate to the U.S. want to do so to follow our laws and be good members of the community.”
