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Biden administration warns Abbott to cancel order
Governor Abbott has just told local governments that they can do little or nothing to restrict Texans, despite the surge in COVID-19 cases. Meanwhile, the Biden administration is threatening legal action over another order from the governor.
DALLAS – The Department of Justice is suing Texas to prevent Governor Greg Abbott from interfering with immigration authorities.
This week, the governor ordered state soldiers to stop vehicles suspected of transporting undocumented migrants.
RELATED: New Abbott order restricts transport of migrants due to COVID-19
Abbott said his order was intended to help stop the spread of COVID-19. The Biden administration called it “dangerous and illegal.”
Critics said there was no way to enforce Abbott’s order without racial profiling.
U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said on Thursday it violates federal law and that the U.S. Department of Justice will take action if Abbott does not reverse it. Friday afternoon, it’s done.
In the lawsuit, the Department of Justice argues that the Texas executive order “harms the United States and the people the United States is charged with protecting, compromises the health and safety of non-nationals in government detention federal law, endanger the safety of federal law enforcement personnel and their families, and exacerbate the spread of Covid-19 in our communities. “
The White House has also rebuffed claims that migrants are spreading COVID-19.
“CBP provides PPE to a migrant upon arrest. And migrants are required to keep their masks on at all times, including when being transferred or being released. If anyone shows signs of illness in detention by CBP, they are referred to local health systems for appropriate testing, diagnosis, isolation and treatment, ”White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said.
Abbott argued that COVID-19 cases were in fact increasing among migrants and blamed the Biden administration, saying it did not understand what was happening on the southern border.
“Until President Biden and his administration do their job to uphold the laws of our nation and protect Americans, the State of Texas will continue to mobilize to protect our communities and uphold the rule of law.” Abbott said in a statement after the trial. has been dropped.
Gov. Abbott issued another executive order related to the pandemic on Thursday, but he’s taking a different approach, warning local governments not to add new restrictions on businesses.
The new order consolidates some of its previous orders and threatens to impose fines on cities and counties of up to $ 1,000 if they try to demand masks or vaccines. It applies to schools, as well as to public and private entities that receive state funding.
Even with the delta variant resulting in another spike in cases, the governor said it was up to the Texans, not the government, to protect people.
“Texans have mastered safe practices that help prevent and avoid the spread of COVID-19,” he said in a statement. “They have the individual right and responsibility to decide for themselves and their children whether they will wear masks, open their businesses and engage in leisure activities. Vaccines, which remain plentiful, are the most important defense. effective against the virus, and they will always remain voluntary – never forced – in the state of Texas. “
RELATED: New Abbott Ordinance Seeks to Clarify Texas COVID-19 Response
Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins is among those critical of the move, calling it purely political.
“The governor’s order is based on poll data of what Republican primary voters want to hear; Conversely, the recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are based on the most recent data regarding the much more contagious delta variant and what scientists and health professionals have learned from it. away to fight the spread and damage of COVID, ”Jenkins said in a statement.
The order will prevent some hospitals that receive state funding from requiring their employees to be vaccinated.
Private companies can always decide for themselves to limit capacity or require masks indoors.
RELATED: Texas colleges assess options for masks and vaccines for next semester
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