Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced on Wednesday that the state has established state-run checkpoints to halt and examine commercial vehicles arriving from Mexico in an effort to reduce illegal immigration.
The inspections are in addition to those carried out by US Customs and Border Protection.
They’re looking for smugglers who transport unauthorized immigrants and drugs from Mexico, said Abbot at a press conference in Weslaco, Texas’ Rio Grande Valley.
“I’m aware that this will significantly slow transportation from Mexico into Texas. “It’s a result of drug cartels crossing the border from Mexico into Texas,” Abbott explained. “Cartels use cars, many of which are dangerous commercial trucks, to smuggle illegal immigrants, lethal fentanyl, and other illicit items into Texas and onto our roads.”
Abbott said that the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) would begin performing increased vehicle inspections at 20 international crossing ports across Texas immediately.
The inspections began at 4 p.m. Wednesday, according to Texas DPS Chief Steve McCraw. The inspections will not take place on government property, according to McCraw, and no probable cause is required to stop a vehicle for a safety inspection.
“Commercial vehicles and the trucking industry are critical to our way of life,” McCraw added, speaking at the same press conference as Abbott. “The vast majority of owners follow transportation restrictions.” It is our responsibility to ensure that every business vehicle is safe, as well as the driver. If not, we will deactivate them.”
CBP currently inspects commercial and passenger cars crossing the border, as well as enforcing customs, immigration, and agricultural laws and regulations at commercial entry points.
It’s unclear whether the Texas DPS will collaborate with CBP.
According to figures from the Department of Transportation, more than 7 million commercial trucks would cross the US-Mexico border in 2021.
According to U.S. Census data, more than $661 billion in two-way trade passed between the United States and Mexico in the calendar year 2021. Moreover $249 billion went through the Laredo, Texas, port of entry.
The commercial truck crossings at the ports of entry at Laredo, El Paso, and Pharr, Texas, are among the busiest on the border.
Texas officials also announced that they will begin chartering buses to transport undocumented individuals caught after crossing the border to Washington.
The buses will “transport illegal immigrants who have been dropped off in Washington, D.C. by the Biden administration.” “We’re sending them to the United States Capitol,” Abbott declared.
