Texas Governor Greg Abbott introduced his appointment of a border czar to move Operation Lone Star. The announcement got here on Monday throughout a press convention within the Rio Grande Valley.
Governor Abbott appointed not too long ago retired Border Patrol Agent Mike Banks. He has a protracted historical past of service to the Border Patrol and retired prior to now few days.
“We discovered the suitable particular person for the job in Mike Banks,” Abbott mentioned throughout the announcement. “Mike Banks is an award-winning Border Patrol agent. He has held vital Border Patrol management positions for greater than 20 years, serving underneath 4 presidents.”
Responding to the governor’s appointment, Banks instructed reporters in South Texas, “I’m humbled to be chosen by Governor Abbott for this chance. Defending our nation’s border is one thing I’ve devoted the final 23 years of my life to, and I’m very obsessed with it.”
Most not too long ago, Banks served because the Patrol Agent in Cost of one of many largest Border Patrol stations within the Rio Grande Valley Sector, officers instructed Breitbart Texas on Monday. Previous to that, he served in Washington, D.C., at Border Patrol headquarters underneath U.S. Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz. Banks additionally served briefly as an appearing chief patrol agent alongside the U.S.-Canada Border.
Abbott mentioned that Banks, whereas serving alongside the Texas border with Mexico, personally noticed the harm and destruction skilled by Texas ranchers and communities attributable to human smugglers and the movement of migrants by non-public property.
“Mike will faucet his experience to deploy methods that cut back unlawful immigration and hold our group protected,” the Texas governor continued. “He’ll work on issues just like the surge operation like we utilized in El Paso final month.”
Banks will report on to Governor Abbott and will likely be based mostly within the border area in Weslaco, Texas. He’s anticipated to make use of his expertise as a Border Patrol agent and supervisor to work with native leaders and different legislation enforcement businesses, the governor added.
“We’re not gonna stand idly by whereas the Biden Administration refuses to implement the immigration legal guidelines as our borders are,” Abbott concluded. “Mike Banks will work with stakeholders and communities, legislation enforcement on the streets to implement the legal guidelines on the books and drive down unlawful crossings. He has a confirmed report of going toe-to-toe with the cartels and successful now, he’ll deliver that successful report to assist shield Texas from Biden’s open border insurance policies.”
The governor took benefit of the announcement to indicate off a piece of 30-foot border partitions being constructed close to Los Indios, Texas. The state can also be engaged on a brand new part of border wall within the Laredo Sector, Breitbart Texas reported final week.
Bob Worth serves as affiliate editor and senior information contributor for the Breitbart Texas-Border group. He’s an unique member of the Breitbart Texas group. Worth is a daily panelist on Fox 26 Houston’s What’s Your Level? Sunday-morning discuss present. Observe him on Twitter @BobPriceBBTX and Face
Randy Clark is a 32-year veteran of america Border Patrol. Previous to his retirement, he served because the Division Chief for Regulation Enforcement Operations, directing operations for 9 Border Patrol Stations throughout the Del Rio, Texas, Sector. Observe him on Twitter @RandyClarkBBTX.
