Texas will reinforce anti-immigrant siege with armored vehicles

of the writing

Newspaper La Jornada
Tuesday November 22, 2022, p. 6

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, will send M113 armored vehicles to the border with Mexico in his mission to stop migration to the United States, according to a document obtained by the sites. Army Times Y The Texas Tribune.

Abbott tweeted last week that he invoked the Trespassing Clauses of the United States and Texas Constitutions to authorize his entity to take unprecedented steps to defend itself against the invasion of migrants. The sites considered the governor’s announcement to be doubtfully legal.

Last Thursday, the Texas Military Department, which oversees Operation Lone Star, revealed in a statement that the National Guard will deploy the M113 along the border, in 10 different positions, and about 50 soldiers will be trained to operate them. .

The statement added that these actions are part of a broader strategy to use all means at our disposal to combat illegal migration, which has increased at record levels.

Abbott launched Lone Star in March 2021 and sent thousands of troops to the border, along with vehicles and cargo containers, which he lined up across Mexico and his state.

Last week, Abbott accused President Joe Biden in a letter of keep the border openso that Texas is forced to defend itself. He also ordered the Texas Military Department and the Department of Public Safety to use all your strategies to stop what called an invasion of the southern border of the United States.

In accordance with Army Timesthe M113 are known lovingly in military circles like battle cabs, are designed to withstand small explosions and transport infantry troops on battlefields. They normally circulate next to the tanks. They can be equipped with heavy machine guns, grenade launchers, anti-tank missiles, and cannons. It was not made clear whether the vehicles they will deploy will be armed.

The executive director and founder of the Red de Derechos Humanos en la Frontera, Fernando García, pointed out that Abbott “tries to justify the narrative of an ‘invasion’ by presenting asylum seekers and migrants seeking opportunities as violent criminals” to avoid to be accused of violating human rights.

Soldiers participating in Lone Star complain of poor living conditions and insufficient pay. Ten troops have died since last year from accidents or suicide.