Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX) announced plans to construct a new military base in the border town of Eagle Pass, Texas, as a large number of immigrants attempt to come into the United States around that location.
This base would be for Texas National Guardsmen, who have been nearby setting up barbed wire fences at the border. Late last year, the Justice Department sued the Texas government for its tactics to keep immigrants from illegally entering the United States. While Border Patrol was ordered to take down the barbed wire, the Texas National Guard continued to install more wire .
“This will increase the ability for a larger number of Texas Military Department soldiers in Eagle Pass to operate more effectively and efficiently,” Abbott said during a press conference this week.
The 80-acre property will eventually house some 1,800 National Guardsmen, with the first phase of 300 beds available in April.
The news comes as Texas has been footing the cost of busing immigrants out of Texas to various sanctuary cities , reportedly spending $124,603,616.19 over less than two years.