Montgomery County Supports Governor Abbott’s Border Security Mission

Montgomery County officials have expressed their support for Governor Greg Abbott‘s border security mission, Operation Lone Star, following a recent Supreme Court ruling.

Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough, speaking after the county’s unanimous vote, called for Texas to show civil disobedience in response to the Supreme Court’s decision to allow Border Patrol agents to remove Texas barriers.

Under Operation Lone Star, Texas had erected concertina wire barriers to prevent illegal entry between ports of entry on Texas soil. However, the Border Patrol began tearing them down, leading to the state’s legal battle with the federal government.

Montgomery County resident Jonathan Hullihan, General Counsel for Citizens Defending Freedom, had urged county officials to declare an invasion at the border. Hullihan, who is an expert in international and national security law, argues that what’s happening is a national security issue rather than an immigration issue.

Citing the “Guarantee Clause” of the U.S. Constitution and historical precedent, Hullihan contends that Texas has the constitutional authority to declare an invasion and repel it. He also references a legal opinion written by former Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich, who defined an invasion and argued that the Biden administration failed to protect Arizona.

Kinney County Attorney Brent Smith also supports the declaration of an invasion, and he was among the first officials to do so in Kinney, Goliad, and Terrell counties.

After The Center Square reported on the increasing number of counties declaring an invasion, Montgomery County joined the list. Atascosa Judge Weldon Cude, who had encouraged other counties to do the same, believes it is important to defend Texas sovereignty and urges Congress to act.

The resolution passed by Montgomery County cites relevant sections of the U.S. Constitution and the Texas Constitution. It also calls on the Texas congressional delegation to take necessary legislative action to secure the southern border.

Texas has historically faced challenges related to illegal border crossings and the associated crime. Under the Biden administration, the number of illegal border crossers entering Texas reached a record high in fiscal year 2023. As a result, nearly 100 Texas counties have issued disaster and invasion declarations, highlighting the severity of the border crisis.