A coalition of 15 Republican governors, led by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, is set to converge on the southern border this weekend alongside a conservative convoy known as "God's Army."
The events aim to highlight the escalating illegal immigration crisis and draw attention to what they perceive as the detrimental impact of President Joe Biden's open-border policies, reported the Washington Examiner.
Abbott will host leaders from 14 other red states in McAllen, Texas, in the Rio Grande Valley on Sunday afternoon. The gathering will include a briefing on the state's efforts to enhance border security and a subsequent press conference addressing the consequences of what Abbott deems "President Joe Biden's reckless open border policies."
In the lead-up to Abbott's border event, an online initiative called "Take Our Border Back" has organized a cross-country caravan. This caravan plans to visit various locations along the southern border, concluding with rallies in Arizona, California, and Texas on Saturday.
"The Take Our Border Back leadership team asks you to join us in praying for our nation, elected officials, and uniting our country," states the convoy's website. "Our peaceful convoy will help all Americans have a respectful conversation about the future of our country. The time has come to unite as a country and pray."
Caravan organizer Kim Yeater expressed hope for a massive turnout of 700,000 protesters, although current participation numbers have fallen short of that goal. Departing from Virginia Beach, Virginia, the caravan made scheduled stops in Jacksonville, Florida, and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, before heading to Dripping Springs, Texas, for a Thursday evening pep rally led by former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and rock 'n' roll performer Ted Nugent.
"I do want to thank you for being in the arena, knowing that now more than ever, it is required for us to stand up and fight for what is right," said Palin at the rally. "It is unconscionable; it is treasonous what our own federal government is doing to us in actually sanctioning a foreign invasion of our country across that border."
Abbott's event in southeast Texas comes a week after the state took decisive action against the Biden administration at the border. On Jan. 10, Texas seized city land in Eagle Pass, evicting federal Border Patrol agents, accusing them of facilitating illegal immigration. Abbott defended the state's actions, citing the federal government's failure to adequately protect Texas.
Among the attending GOP governors are Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Brian Kemp, Brad Little, Eric Holcomb, Kim Reynolds, Jeff Landry, Tate Reeves, Mike Parson, Greg Gianforte, Jim Pillen, Chris Sununu, Kristi Noem, Bill Lee, and Spencer Cox.
Jim Thomas ✉
Jim Thomas is a writer based in Indiana. He holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science, a law degree from U.I.C. Law School, and has practiced law for more than 20 years.
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