The contradictions between the state of Texas and the US Federal Government are turning into a real conflict and becoming the subject of heated debate in American society, Report informs.
The situation escalated on January 11, when the Texas National Guard established control over a section of the state border with Mexico in the city of Eagle Pass.
In 2021, the Washington administration decided to soften immigration laws, in response to which Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced the launch of Operation Lone Star. As part of this operation, Texas authorities transported more than 102,000 illegal migrants outside the state to neighboring countries.
In addition, the situation with migrants at the southern border has become a “bone of contention” between Democrats and Republicans during the discussion of the annual budget in Congress.
The situation escalated further after the governor of Texas ordered the continuation of razor wire along the Mexican border, despite a Supreme Court order that allowed federal border agents to remove the barriers.
At the moment, many are wondering how this problem can be solved, and a number of American and international media outlets have again begun to talk about the possibility of Texas separating from the US.
Southern Methodist University (Dallas, Texas) professor Cal Jillson told Report that he doesn’t see the possibility for Texas to become an independent state.
“Texas will not become an independent state. Texas is led by foolish and even reckless people, but probably not that foolish. The US Constitution does not allow for the withdrawal of states. The US Supreme Court decided that issue soon after the US Civil War in the 1860s in a case called Texas v. White (1869). The most likely result of the current dispute is continued wrangling in the courts with the federal government winning most decisions and Texas continuing to appeal and resist. Lots of thunder, not much lightning,” he said.
However, there are those who believe that economic factors such as the production of oil, gas and other natural resources have allowed Texas to develop a strong economy and a good self-sustaining economic base. Therefore, they believe that federal taxes and regulations limit economic freedom and advocate secession from the US. In Texas, the idea of “exclusive rights,” implying a special role for the state within the US, is widespread; many residents support the idea of greater autonomy and even sovereignty for their state.
How does the situation in Texas relate to the US election campaign? Democrats are seeking to increase the number of Central and South Americans becoming citizens and voting in future elections to support their candidates, while Republicans have expressed dissatisfaction with the current situation and are making efforts to stop the uncontrollable influx of illegal migrants, or at least limit it.
According to Lev Sokolshchik, a researcher at the Center for Comprehensive European and International Studies, the Biden administration is openly acknowledging the existence of a humanitarian crisis on its southern border. The Democratic Party often takes a pro-immigrant stance because immigrants are its future voter base.
“All Biden’s measures, in essence, are shifting responsibility onto the governments of Latin American countries, but they have not been successful. Over the past month, we have actually seen that the Biden administration is admitting its inability to regulate migration flows and resolve the crisis. On the other hand, this may help the Democrats attract new voters to their side,” he believes.