Is Greg Abbott Intentionally Trying To Trigger Right-Wing Violence In Texas?

Abbott has now defied Supreme Court decision, as politicians and Maga-nuts call for violence and Civil War.

The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) that allows migrants to request asylum once physically present on US soil originated from the Refugee Act of 1980. It was signed into law by President Jimmy Carter on March 17th, 1980, and it amended the INA to establish the US asylum system as it exists today.

The Refugee Act of 1980 incorporated into US law many of the principles outlined in the United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and provided the legal framework for the admission of refugees and the granting of asylum. This law clarified the criteria for granting asylum. It established the right of individuals to seek asylum if they are physically present in the United States, regardless of their immigration status or method of entry.

This has been the law for 44 years.

But according to Republicans, asylum seekers are now “illegal.” In fact, because of their dehumanizing language, they don’t even refer to migrants as asylum seekers or refugees. Instead, they call them “illegals.”

Last week, Governor Abbott ordered the Texas National Guard to block Federal Border Patrol Agents from doing their jobs.

Under federal law, Border Patrol has a legal responsibility to process migrants on US soil and determine whether to detain them, transfer them to another agency, deport them, or release them into the country, pending a court hearing.

Last night, the Biden administration requested to vacate the Fifth Circuit injunction in the Texas border razor-wire case, clearing the way for federal officials to remove physical impediments to the border.

Justices Thomas, Alito, Gorsuch, and Kavanaugh dissent—on a Supremacy Clause case. That’s an entirely different story, which shows their corrupt partisan nature.

Abbott said he would defy SCOTUS, and now he’s doubling down.

Here was how Abbott responded after the SCOTUS decision:

The Immigration and Nationality Act and the Refugee Act of 1980 have been the law for 44 years. Biden has only been president for three.

Under Section 208(a)(1) of the INA:

“Any alien who is physically present in the United States or who arrives in the United States (whether or not at a designated port of arrival and including an alien who is brought to the United States after having been interdicted in international or United States waters), irrespective of such alien’s status, may apply for asylum in accordance with this section or, where applicable, section 1225(b) of this title.”

Ken Paxton has also been making the rounds on right-wing media.

They keep calling it an invasion. It’s literally just fucking immigration. Immigration has been part of America ever since we stole the land from Indigenous People. Immigration is nothing new.

But Republicans have to play political theater.

There’s a Democrat in the White House, and white supremacy is on the rise. So, now they’re calling immigration “an invasion by illegal people.”

Migrants who go around the ports of entry to ask for asylum follow the legal process set in place 44 years ago.

Since a Democrat is in the White House, Republicans want to stop them, drown them, and even shoot them.

The Texas National Guard was spotted putting up more razor wire and barriers in Eagle Pass this morning.

Abbott is doubling down. He’s gone rogue and believes that federal law doesn’t apply to him.

The situation has gotten so out of hand because of the lies Abbott has told about the border and Republicans all around the country’s willingness to repeat those lies.

To be clear:

• Biden is not absent. It is Congress’s job to make laws; that’s why they’re called the legislative branch.

• Abbott’s actions are not stopping people from coming to America to ask for asylum. Either the migrants are drowned or maimed by the razor wire, or they walk a few more miles down the road where the Border Patrol is waiting to process them.

• Greg Abbott has now defied an order from the Supreme Court.

Republican politicians from Texas have spread Abbott’s lies and are encouraging him not to follow SCOTUS’ orders.

What is Greg Abbott’s end game?

In the last 24-hours, multiple right-wing influencers like Alex Jones, Dan Bongino, and Tim Poole have either explicitly or indirectly called for this to be the kick-off of Civil War 2.0. They’re calling it “Greg Abbott’s Fort Sumter.”

This is especially dangerous because these people don’t know the difference between an asylum seeker and an undocumented immigrant. They can’t tell the difference between an invasion and immigration.

In 2019, a right-wing lunatic from North Texas drove to El Paso to shoot and kill 23 people because of Abbott’s rhetoric of “invasion.”

Abbott and other Republicans are aware that their actions and rhetoric could lead to acts of racially driven violence. Yet, they do it anyway.

• These are the same people who passed a “show me your papers” bill.

• The same ones who tried to remove all teachings of MLK in Texas school books.

• The same ones who have been pushing racially segregating the schools under the guise of vouchers for the last year.

They know what they are doing, and they are doing it anyway. Almost 90% of the Republican Party is white. So, pandering to white supremacy feels like a safe move for them.

February 3rd.

Now, armed Republicans from all around the country are headed to Eagle Pass, and Republican politicians are encouraging it. They’re lining it up to be this year’s January 6th.

This is the same rhetoric the GOP used before the last insurrection.

The escalating tensions along the Texas-Mexico border pose significant dangers, particularly for Hispanic communities living in the region. We’ve already witnessed how Republicans’ inflammatory language and policies targeting Hispanic communities can have devastating consequences, like the El Paso shooting.

There are 12 million Hispanic people who call Texas home.

In a week, hundreds, maybe even thousands of heavily armed, right-wing people will drive to Texas, down to Eagle Pass. They say they intend to “take back the border.” But they can’t tell you the difference between an asylum seeker, an undocumented immigrant, and a brown American citizen.

Meanwhile, on his Twitter show, Tucker Carlson called for armed civilians to travel to Texas and join the Texas National Guard in their fight against the government.

What’s Abbott’s end game?

The Texas National Guard is openly drawing federal law enforcement into what Republicans hope will be an armed conflict. Meanwhile, several armed militias are headed this way to help them out. We are watching a nightmare unfold in real-time.

The escalating crisis at the Texas-Mexico border, fueled by the divisive rhetoric and actions of Governor Greg Abbott and other Republican leaders, has reached a dangerous precipice. This situation not only endangers the lives of migrants seeking asylum but also poses significant threats to Hispanic communities in Texas and border regions.

The inflammatory language, the deployment of the Texas National Guard, and the calls for armed civilians to join the fray have created a volatile environment that harkens back to a painful past. We've seen the devastating consequences of such rhetoric before, as evidenced by the tragic events in El Paso.

The events unfolding along the border are a stark reminder of the urgent need for responsible leadership, compassion, and a commitment to upholding the principles of justice and humanity. As the nation watches this unfolding drama, it is a sobering moment for all to reflect on the consequences of Abbott’s political theater and the importance of preserving the values that make America a beacon of hope for those seeking refuge and a better life.

LoneStarLeft’s Newsletter is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram.