On June 28, Gov. Greg Abbott issued a statewide call for assistance for border sheriffs with operating detention facilities and providing jail beds for those arrested for state charges related to the border crisis.
Montgomery County Sheriff Rand Henderson has agreed to send resources to the border if needed, according to a June 29 news release. The sheriff and his leadership are working on specifics on how to best serve the border, according to the news release.
“The crisis at the border affects more than just those citizens who live along the border, but also the victims of human and drug trafficking organizations,” Henderson stated. “Additionally, criminal entities have exploited this crisis to further their illicit activities. Recent changes to border policy have created a dangerous environment for all the citizens of the state of Texas.”
On April 26, Abbott sent a letter to county judges across the state asking them to send an estimate of the fiscal impact of the border crisis on their respective counties. The state will use this information to formally request that the federal government pay in full for these costs borne by state and local governments, according to a news release from Abbott’s office. The efforts of county judges can be bolstered if their Commissioners Courts adopt a resolution supporting the state for federal reimbursement.
On May 25, Montgomery County commissioners approved a resolution acknowledging the humanitarian crisis at the border. Then, on June 29, commissioners convened for a special session to discuss a local disaster declaration to assess border security and the “ongoing public health crisis it poses to Montgomery County.”
However, commissioners voted to gather more information about the resources requested before the county would agree to a mutual aid agreement.
