Gov. Greg Abbott announces Texas will build its own border wall

During a border security summit in the US border city of Del Rio on Thursday, Republican Governor Greg Abbott said he will soon reveal a plan for Texas to construct its own border wall.

"I will announce next week the plan for the state of Texas to begin building the border wall in the state of Texas. The border crisis is no laughing matter. It's not a tourism site for members of Congress to visit and then return to DC and do nothing."

Abbott’s announcement comes as border towns and cities in Texas struggle with the fallout of of Biden administration  policies encouraging massive amounts of illegal migrants to flood into the US. "One thing we know and that is a border crisis is plaguing the farmers, the ranchers, the residents of the entire border region. Your law enforcement officers, they are having to redirect their resources to deal with the border as opposed to deal what they normally deal with which is keeping your communities safe every day."

Abbott blamed Biden administration's policies for the surge in migrants, citing year-over-year increases in illegal border crossing attempts. The governor called out President Joe Biden’s decision to roll back the "remain in Mexico" policy instituted by the Trump administration

Abbot’s statements came as Vice President Kamala Harris was wrapping up an embarrassing trip to meet with leaders of Guatemala and Mexico about the border crisis. The President of Guatemala specifically blamed Biden administration policies for the surge in migration and gang activities.

Law enforcement has found 180,034 people trying to enter the country illegally in May, the highest number in more than two decades.