Gov. Abbott holds Thursday afternoon news conference with Texas House members in Eagle Pass

LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) - Governor Greg Abbott held a news conference with members of the Texas House of Representatives for a border security announcement at Shelby Park in Eagle Pass, Texas on Thursday afternoon.

A news release from the governor’s office states this is in response to President Biden’s “reckless open border policies”.

Nearly two dozen Representatives attended, including Dustin Burrows (HD-83). They were joined by Texas Department of Public Safety Deputy Director Freeman Martin, Adjutant General of Texas Major General Thomas Suelzer and Texas Border Czar Mike Banks.

Officials received a briefing on the Operation Lone Star mission to secure the border before the news conference.

Eagle Pass has been a major area for illegal border crossings in recent years. Texas state officials blocked federal U.S. Border Patrol agents from entering and patrolling Shelby Park last month, a public area in Eagle Pass.

Abbott claims that Texas’ installation of more than 100 miles of razor wire barrier led to a sharp reduction in illegal border crossings and cited a constitutional clause last month that he said gives him the right to defend Texas.

He also accused the president of aiding and abetting illegal entry into the U.S.

KCBD Newschannel 11′s Kase Wilbanks is in Eagle Pass providing updates throughout the day.