Family Separation, Casualties and Cruelty Become Hallmarks of Abbott’s Latest Political Stunts

WASHINGTON – Over the past few weeks, Governor Greg Abbott has exponentially increased his cruelty toward immigrants at the Texas border. Texas troopers under his command have been ordered to push young children back into the Rio Grande to drown and to deny migrants water in sweltering heat. His barbaric Operation Lone Star has inflicted severe physical and mental trauma on innocent families, and this week, it was reported that two human bodies were found among the barrier of buoys installed in the Rio Grande at his command–one of whom was a young boy from Honduras.

Most recently, the Houston Chronicle reported that the Texas Department of Public Safety has separated more than a dozen families at the border–ripping fathers away from their spouses and young children in actions that mirror the widely condemned and unpopular policies of former President Donald Trump. Report after report confirms that Governor Abbott’s escalating political stunts are cruel, lethal and completely unacceptable.

Beatriz Lopez, Chief Political and Communications Officer at the Immigration Hub, issued the following statement:

“Governor Abbott is shamelessly putting his complete disregard for human life on display at a time when Texans are already in mourning over the fourth anniversary of the devastating mass shooting in El Paso. Whether it is sending young children to drown or tearing them away from their families, the Governor has made clear that there are no limits to his relentless cruelty against immigrant families. What’s worse is that several members of the GOP are embracing these inhumanities and digging their heels into baseless lies and nativist theories. Extremism has not only permeated the Republican Party, it has become a cornerstone of their political agenda. Instead of working with other leaders to fix our immigration system with humane and balanced solutions that not only preserve but promote the dignity and well-being of those seeking refuge on our shores, Abbott continues to target vulnerable families under the guise of ‘national security.’ Americans have made it clear that cruelty is not a policy solution and that separating children is unacceptable and un-American.”

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The Immigration Hub is a national organization dedicated to advancing fair and just immigration policies through strategic leadership, innovative communications strategies, legislative advocacy and collaborative partnerships.