Texas, one of the largest, richest, and most influential states in the United States, has always had a reputation for being wild and independent. It is the only independent state in U.S. history that has repeatedly challenged the authority of the federal government. Recently, Texas has been at loggerheads with the U.S. government, and the focus of all this is on one key word - immigration.
Texas' unique geographical location, with Mexico to the south and the Gulf of Mexico to the Caribbean to the southeast, makes it a major smuggling route for illegal immigrants. The problem has been mitigated to some extent during the Trump administration, when he built a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border. However, after Biden took office, he canceled this practice and instead made the immigration policy more moderate, which attracted strong opposition from Texas.
The reaction of the people of Texas was fierce. Texas Governor Abbott announced the activation of Article 1, Section 10, Item 3 of the U.S. Constitution, giving states the right to impose martial law and take action without regard to Congress or the government. Texas has begun blocking federal government access to the region, arresting illegal immigrants and erecting a fence along the border.
However, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Biden administration could dismantle Texas' border walls and barbed wire. The ruling has exacerbated tensions between the two sides. Texas Governor Abbott has ordered that the state's right to self-defense takes precedence over any federal law, and that Texas authorities and law enforcement will abide by state law. The Texas National Guard is carrying out Operation Lone Star, installing more barbed wire at the border in response to the U.S. Supreme Court's order.
This immigration controversy involves not only the power struggle between the federal and state governments, but also the political wrestling between the two former presidents. President Biden has warned Texas to comply with the court's ruling within the 24-hour deadline to hand over border patrols to the federal government or face consequences. Trump, on the other hand, has called on all willing governors to send troops to support Texas and deploy more National Guard troops to the Texas border to deport illegal immigrants.
It's not just about immigration, or about Texas' independence, it's become a "pre-election battle" for Biden and Trump. Although the war was only fought on the border of Texas, it exposed the deep-seated social and political problems of the United States and had a profound impact on the future of the United States. Over time, we will also witness the outcome of the "indie game" of Texas and its impact on the American political landscape.