Governor Abbott announces new Texas Border Czar
Governor Greg Abbott announces new Texas Border Czar, Mike Banks, at a press conference on a Texas border wall construction site in San Benito.
January 31, 2023 | Austin, TX
Yesterday, Governor Greg Abbott announced the new position of Texas Border Czar to oversee border security in President Joe Biden's absence at a press conference on a Texas border wall construction site in San Benito. Mike Banks has been hired as Special Advisor on Border Matters to the Governor and will serve as the State of Texas’ first-ever Border Czar.
“For nearly two years, the State of Texas has taken unprecedented, historic action under Operation Lone Star in response to the Biden Administration’s refusal to secure the border,” said Governor Abbott. “To continue doing what no other state in the history of our country has done to secure the border, I hired Mike Banks as the State of Texas’ first-ever Border Czar. As an award-winning Border Patrol Agent, with decades of federal law enforcement and border security experience, Mike is the perfect choice to oversee Texas’ fight against the surge of illegal immigration, lethal drugs, and deadly weapons flowing into our state and nation.”
The Governor was joined for the announcement by Border Czar Banks, Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Director Steve McCraw, and Texas Military Department (TMD) Major General Thomas Suelzer.
“Protecting our nation’s border is something I have dedicated the last 23 years of my life to, and I am very passionate about it,” said Banks. “I look forward to strengthening our relationships with law enforcement partners and the community, leveraging all that we can to further protect our great state of Texas and the United States.”
Border Czar duties
Banks will report directly to Governor Abbott and ensure border security strategies are fully executed in Texas in the absence of meaningful federal action.
He will collaborate daily with TMD, DPS, and other state agencies, local officials, and Texas landowners to carry out Operation Lone Star’s mission of deterring and repelling migrants from illegally crossing into Texas from Mexico.
Banks will also advise the Governor on border security situations and strategies, including the planning of operations ahead of migrant surges, like that of El Paso in December 2022.
To best serve Texans and Americans, the Border Czar will be based out of Weslaco and travel along the border, and state, as necessary.
Border Czar Banks’ background
Mike Banks of Mission is a former US Border Patrol (USBP) Weslaco Station Patrol Agent in Charge. Banks has served in federal law enforcement leadership for more than 30 years, with 23 years in border security operations and administration along the United States-Mexico border.
He previously served as Acting Deputy Chief of Law Enforcement Operational Programs at the USBP headquarters in Washington, D.C., USBP McAllen Station Patrol Agent in Charge, USBP Rio Grande Valley Sector Executive Officer and Acting Division Chief, and other various USBP leadership positions in Texas, Arizona, and California. He is also a former member of the US Navy Military Police.
Banks holds an associate’s degree in Administration of Justice from Southwestern College in Chula Vista, California, a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Leadership from South Texas College, and other awards from the US Navy and USBP.
Governor Abbott’s actions thus far
Governor Abbott’s office highlights the following actions taken so far to secure the border:
$4 billion in funding for Texas’ border security efforts
The deployment of thousands of Texas National Guard soldiers and Texas Department of Public Safety troopers
Busing thousands of migrants to Washington, D.C., New York City, Chicago, and Philadelphia
Designating Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations
Arresting and jailing criminals trespassing or committing other state crimes along the southern border
Issuing an executive order authorizing the Texas National Guard and Texas Department of Public Safety to return illegal immigrants to the border at ports of entry
Allocating resources to acquire 1,700 unused steel panels to build the border wall in Texas
Signing a law to make it easier to prosecute smugglers bringing people into Texas
Signing 15 laws cracking down on human trafficking in Texas
Signing a law enhancing penalties for the manufacturing and distribution of fentanyl
Issuing a disaster declaration for the border crisis
Issuing an executive order preventing non-governmental entities from transporting illegal immigrants
Signing memoranda of understanding between the State of Texas and the States of Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León, and Tamaulipas to enhance border security measures in their states that will prevent illegal immigration from Mexico to Texas
Activating the Joint Border Security Operations Center (JBSOC) and directing the Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Military Department, and Texas Division of Emergency Management to coordinate Texas’ response to secure the border
Texans for Strong Borders calls on Governor Abbott to make securing the border an emergency item
“The bus rides for illegal aliens to liberal bastions makes for great viewing entertainment, but the efforts of the Governor so far have fallen short of stemming the tide of human smuggling, human trafficking, and drugs pouring across our border every day,” said Texans for Strong Borders president, Chris Russo, in a Jan. 18 statement.
In June last year, more than 5,000 Texas Republican delegates gathered in Houston at the Republican state convention to set priorities for the 88th legislative session. These delegates made securing the border one of the top 8 Legislative Priorities.
According to Texans for Strong Borders, Governor Abbott should show his commitment to the safety and security of Texans by making securing the border an emergency item during his upcoming State of the State address.
“The Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, and the Speaker of the House have made promises time and time again to secure the border, continuously mentioning it at every turn during the campaign trail. The time for action has come,” continued Russo.
The appointment of the new Border Czar may be a signal that Governor Abbott intends to make securing the border an emergency legislative item during his State of the State address.