Operational control of the Texas–Mexico border requires a combination of infrastructure, intelligence, technology, and law enforcement personnel. It is time for Texas to get that combination right.
Key points
- Texas is expending substantial public resources for what is essentially a federal responsibility.
- To date, state border security efforts remain limited to deter large numbers of migrants from illegally crossing the border.
- While improving state border security capabilities and effectiveness, Texas must simultaneously continue to press the federal government to fulfill its responsibilities.