Texas plans to build a military camp on the US border with Mexico
In a groundbreaking move, Texas is set to establish a military camp along its border with Mexico, dedicated to housing and supporting up to 1,800 soldiers from the state’s National Guard. Governor Greg Abbott announced this ambitious project on Friday, highlighting its significance for bolstering border security. The camp will be strategically located in the Eagle Pass area, which has been a focal point of Governor Abbott’s efforts to safeguard the border. Notably, the governor previously ordered the placement of a buoy barrier over the Rio Grande in this region, leading to a contentious dispute with the Biden administration.
Speaking at a press conference held at the future campsite, Governor Abbott expressed his confidence in the project’s success, emphasizing the benefits it will bring to the soldiers and the efficiency of their operations. He referred to it as a “win-win” situation, underscoring the improvement in living conditions and overall morale. In line with Operation Lone Star, launched by Abbott in 2021, the camp will provide accommodates for the Texas National Guard soldiers who have been working under challenging conditions as part of the border guarding mission.
The construction plans prioritize scalability, with the capacity to house an additional 500 soldiers if needed for deployment by the Texas Tactical Border Force. The first phase, expected to be completed by April, will provide approximately 300 beds. Citing the magnitude of the operation and the need for expansion, Governor Abbott justified the establishment of the camp as a crucial step. He anticipates that the soldiers will benefit from enhanced living conditions and fortified morale as a result.
As Governor Abbott remains focused on preventing unauthorized crossings, he revealed that additional caravans are expected to pass through Mexico’s southern and central regions with the arrival of spring. Seeking to deter them from choosing Texas as their destination, the governor reiterated the necessity of ensuring that “the wrong place to go is the state of Texas.” This military camp is just one aspect of a broader initiative by Abbott to curb illegal border crossings. His previous actions, including the placement of barbed wire and a buoy barrier in the Rio Grande River, have attracted both support and criticism, most notably from Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s administration.
In further efforts to strengthen border security, the Texas government recently took control of a municipal park in Eagle Pass. Here, it is preventing Border Patrol agents from processing migrants crossing the river and plans to implement additional barriers. The implications of these measures extend beyond the immediate region, reflecting the determination of Texas to prioritize its border security and take proactive measures to safeguard its territory.