Texas Governor Challenges Vice President on Immigration Policy

During a recent visit to Texas, Governor Greg Abbott (R-TX) publicly challenged Vice President Kamala Harris to endorse the Justice for Jocelyn Act, a bill aimed at tightening immigration enforcement. The legislation, introduced by Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Representative Troy Nehls (R-TX), mandates that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detain illegal immigrants rather than releasing them into the community. The bill is named after Jocelyn Nungaray, a 12-year-old Texas girl who was tragically raped and killed last month, with the suspects identified as illegal immigrants. Abbott criticized Harris, suggesting that her refusal to support the bill would indicate a lack of seriousness in her role as a potential presidential candidate. He emphasized the importance of detaining individuals who pose a threat to public safety, framing the issue as a critical factor for voters. Abbott's remarks were made during an appearance on Fox News, where he expressed frustration over the lack of communication with Harris regarding border security, despite her designation as "border czar" in 2021. In a collaborative effort, Cruz and Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg, a Democrat, called for bipartisan solutions to protect children from predators, including those who enter the country illegally. Abbott also pointed out that neither Harris nor President Biden has visited the most affected areas of the border, raising concerns about national security and the potential for future terrorist attacks. As Harris prepares to attend a memorial service for the late Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), the House of Representatives recently passed a resolution condemning the Biden administration's handling of border security, with six Democrats joining Republicans in support.