Gov. Greg Abbott draws criticism for ordering state troopers to pull over vehicles with migrants, saying it will stem COVID-19 risk
The executive order allows DPS troopers to reroute vehicles back to their origin point or a port of entry. Immigration rights advocates say the governor’s action is an invitation for racial profiling.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott ordered state troopers on Wednesday to begin pulling over vehicles whose drivers are transporting migrants who pose a risk of carrying COVID-19, escalating his hardline approach on immigrants and eliciting outrage from advocates calling the order a ticket to racial profiling.
The executive order allows Texas Department of Public Safety troopers to reroute those vehicles back to their origin point or a port of entry, or seize the vehicles if the driver does not comply.
Abbott said in a statement that his order “will reduce the risk of COVID-19 exposure in our communities,” though the governor will not allow local government officials to issue mask mandates even as coronavirus infections are again increasing across the state.
The order comes as officials in Laredo and Hidalgo County have grown frustrated with migrants being released from Border Patrol custody, saying that they may be spreading COVID-19 in their communities.
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