Ohio U.S. Senator JD Vance (R-OH) introduced a bill on Wednesday that would “codify the right of every state along the U.S.-Mexico border to defend its own territory.”
The Supreme Court gave Joe Biden a green light to cut down barriers put in place by the State of Texas.
My bill would codify the right of every state along the US-Mexico border to defend its own territory. If Joe Biden refuses take action, let the states get the job done. pic.twitter.com/N06oIHzAOd
— J.D. Vance (@JDVance1) January 25, 2024
Vance’s State Border Security Act would prevent federal agents from dismantling barbed wire or other fencing erected by state governments within 25 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border.
The bill comes just days after the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 in favor of the Biden administration to allow Border Patrol agents to cut through or move razor wire Texas installed on its border to prevent illegal entries into the U.S.
“The Supreme Court gave Joe Biden a green light to cut down barriers put in place by the State of Texas,” Vance said in a statement. “My bill would codify the right of every state along the U.S.-Mexico border to defend its own territory. If Joe Biden refuses to take action, let the states get the job done.”
Vance’s bill, however, would allow an exception for federal agents to dismantle protective fencing that was “constructed with the intention of facilitating, rather than deterring, illegal immigration.”
In such a case, the bill would allow the United States Attorney General to seek “injunctive relief if clear evidence demonstrates a state government constructed protective fencing with the intention of facilitating illegal immigration.”
Vance’s bill came on the same day 25 Republican governors released a joint statement proclaiming their support for Texas Governor Greg Abbott and the steps his state has taken at its border with Mexico to prevent illegal migrant crossings.
Despite the Supreme Court’s ruling, Abbott has since argued President Joe Biden has “refused to enforce” current federal laws protecting states, adding that his state will continue to carry out its “constitutional authority to defend and protect itself.”
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Ohio Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
THE GOVERNOR ABBOT IS CORREST IN EVERY WAY. THE PEOPLE OF TEXAS ARE MORE THAN FORTUNATE TO HAVE SUCH AN OUTSTANDING GOD GIVEN MAN TO STAND FOR THE GOOD OF AMERICA AND THE PEOPLE . BLESS EVERY STEP HE TAKES TO PROTECT HIS JOB, LIVES, FREEDOMS AND LIBERTIES. AMEN.