Holcomb declares solidarity with Texas border strategy

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb on Thursday released a joint statement with 24 other Republican governors in solidarity with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and his state’s border policies.

The governors said they support Texas’ use of “every tool and strategy” — including razor wire fences — “to secure the border.” And they attacked U.S. President Joe Biden’s handling of the migrant influx.

“We do it in part because the Biden Administration is refusing to enforce immigration laws already on the books and is illegally allowing mass parole across America of migrants who entered our country illegally,” the governors said.

They argued that states have a right to self-defense under the U.S. Constitution.

And the statement said the Biden Administration has stopped protecting the states from unauthorized immigration, and because of that, “Texas has every legal justification to protect the sovereignty of our states and our nation.”

The news release came in the wake of a closely voted U.S. Supreme Court order allowing border patrol agents to — for now — continue cutting razor wire at the border, the Associated Press reported. Abbott had authorized the wire.

Several Republican gubernatorial candidates also piled on in their own statements.

Former Attorney General Curtis Hill called Biden “a disaster for our national sovereignty,” and said it was up to governors and state legislatures to “fill the gap.”

Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch said the situation was “clear evidence that governors must take action.” Both she and Hill pledged to do so if elected Indiana governor.

U.S. Sen. Mike Braun called “every state a border state” under Biden’s “disastrous” administration.

“Governors around the country are standing with (Abbott),” he noted, adding that if he were elected governor, Indiana’s support for Texas would be in “no doubt.”

Candidates of other parties also weighed in.

“Americans deserve to feel safe, and immigrants deserve a clear path to citizenship,” said Democrat Jennifer McCormick. “This tug of war over our southern border is more evidence we need stronger border security and immigration reform utilizing a bipartisan approach.”

Libertarian Donald Rainwater’s campaign said he had no comment.

Note: This story has been updated with a court order mention and statements from Mike Braun and Jennifer McCormick.