AUSTIN, Texas — Following a meeting with Gov. Greg Abbott in Austin Wednesday, Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith, on behalf of the Sheriffs' Association of Texas, asked in a letter that the crisis at the Texas-Mexico border be declared a U.S. constitutional crisis and the federal government step in to provide assistance.
In the letter, Smith, who is the president of the Sheriffs' Association of Texas, called the unsecured border a "deliberate, destructive, and inhumane violation of Texas and federal law." The sheriffs who signed the letter asked the Texas border be immediately secured by any lawful method.
Smith said the issues at the southern border have overwhelmed the resources of Texas and the United States and it has encouraged more people to cross over the border.
He wrote in the letter that the Sheriffs' Association of Texas wants the "dangerous, chaotic 'Texas Border Emergency'" to be officially declared a United States constitutional crisis and crimes against humanity. He said the United States government should assist in securing the border without delay.
"Border security and immigration can and should be mutually exclusive. An antiquated immigration process in need of improvement does not infer or require our government to have an ineffective, unsecured, and dangerous southern border," Smith wrote.
Smith added that the southern border is a national security issue, that jeopardizes the United States' sovereignty and the safety of American citizens.
"We recognize the indisputable and unprecedented atrocities occurring at our southern border," Smith said. "Unvetted migrants crossing into Texas from more than 120 countries include cartel members, gang members, known or suspected terrorists, and human traffickers - all of whom pose a clear and present danger to America and her citizens. The influx of illegal drugs has irreversibly damaged our communities."
Smith concluded the letter by saying the sheriffs are compelled to adhere to their constitutional oath and they stand in unity with Abbott to protect Texas citizens.
Abbott met with Smith, National Sheriffs' Association Board Member and Collin County Sheriff Jim Skinner, and Tarrant County Sheriff Bill Waybourn on Wednesday afternoon at the Texas Capitol in Austin.
Several other East Texas sheriffs signed the letter in support, including:
- Cherokee County Sheriff Brent Dickson
- Cass County Sheriff Larry Rowe
- Bowie County Sheriff Jeffrey K. Neal
- Angelina County Sheriff Tom Selman
- Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse
- Rains County Sheriff Michael O. Hopkins
- Rusk County Sheriff Johnwayne Valdez
- Upshur County Sheriff Larry Webb
- Van Zandt County Sheriff Joe Carter
- Panola County Sheriff Cutter Clinton
- Nacogdoches County Sheriff Jason Bridges
- Wood County Sheriff Kelly Cole
- Franklin County Sheriff Ricky S. Jones
- Camp County Sheriff John B. Cortelyou