Texas Governor Greg Abbott is facing mounting criticism over his new policy ordering state authorities to inspect commercial vehicles crossing the state’s border with Mexico after the vehicles have already been checked by federal inspectors. Abbott’s plan for so-called enhanced inspections has caused massive gridlock at the border, delaying shipments of food and other products. The governor of Mexico’s Chihuahua state said the delays harmed the economies of both countries.
Gov. María Eugenia Campos: “Texas receives more than 3 million cargo trucks each year from Mexico. The delay in deliveries represents millions in losses in both perishable foods and serious damage to the supply chain for the U.S. and Mexican industries.”
On Wednesday, Governor Abbott said he would ease inspections at one border crossing after Mexican officials agreed to increase border security. Meanwhile, in a political stunt, Abbott bused about three dozen asylum seekers from Texas to Washington, D.C. The migrants were dropped off Wednesday near the headquarters of Fox News, which had live cameras on the scene to cover their arrival. One immigrant rights advocate described the governor’s actions as “deliberate cruelty that treats human beings like pawns.”