Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced Wednesday that he will deploy the Texas National Guard to monitor immigration-related protests across the state, becoming the first governor to voluntarily use military force amid the nationwide wave of demonstrations.
“Peaceful protest is legal. Harming a person or property is illegal & will lead to arrest,” Abbott posted on social media. He added that troops would support law enforcement and “use every tool & strategy” to ensure public order.
Demonstrations have erupted in Austin, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and other cities following Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids that detained undocumented immigrants, including asylum-seeking children and individuals attending immigration court hearings.
On Monday, 13 people were arrested during Austin’s protest. Another major demonstration was planned for Wednesday night in San Antonio, where Mayor Ron Nirenberg criticized Abbott’s move, saying he received no prior notice and condemned “crude interpretations of immigration law.”
Abbott’s announcement follows Donald Trump sending the National Guard and Marines to Los Angeles, sparking legal challenges from California Gov. Gavin Newsom. Trump later declared he would bypass standard protocols, stating, “I’m done playing by the rules.”
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