Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ presence at the border event with Governor Abbott has raised several eyebrows, and not without good reasons. It’s no secret that border security has always been a pressing issue that demands attention. So, why is Huckabee choosing to attend this event? 

“Active participation in state affairs, especially important Events like the Border Event, does not just fall into one’s lap. It is a conscious choice, a calculated decision. With Governor Huckabee Sanders attending, it’s evident that she’s taking an assertive stand, showing commitment towards addressing the border issues.”

Joining the ranks of 14 other Republican governors, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders of Arkansas is set to participate in a press conference and border tour led by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, in Eagle Pass, Texas, this Sunday. 

Abbott, in a previous statement, had criticized the Biden administration, accusing them of failing to uphold their duty to secure the border. He referred to the influx of migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border as an “invasion”, calling upon Texas to defend itself in response. 

It’s worth noting that Sanders, along with 25 other governors, endorsed Abbott’s border security measures last month. This support came despite ongoing concerns about safety, following a tragic drowning of a woman and two children trying to cross the Rio Grande, near a site where Texas authorities had laid razor wire and restricted U.S. Border Patrol’s access, as pointed out in a U.S. Supreme Court filing. 

Since these incidents, the tension between Texas and the federal government has only escalated. U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, emphasized that the responsibility of handling immigration falls upon the administration instead of the Congress. 

Johnson, in his inaugural speech in the House, laid blame squarely on President Biden and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, accusing them of causing the immigration crisis. He also charged the Biden administration with attempting to shift the blame onto Congress. 

In the meantime, despite former President Donald Trump’s efforts to rally Republican lawmakers against it, a bipartisan immigration agreement in the Senate hangs in balance. Nonetheless, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer mentioned on Thursday that the Senate may vote on this agreement as early as next Wednesday. 

This Sunday’s press conference following the border tour is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Central Time at Shelby Park in Eagle Pass, Texas. The press conference will be preceded by a briefing for the 15 Republican governors on the Operation Lone Star border security mission, confirms a press release from Sanders’ office. 

It’s worth remembering that Sanders had previously deployed Arkansas National Guard troops to assist their Texan counterparts in border security endeavors. 

Joining the governors for this event will be notable figures such as Freeman Martin, Texas Department of Public Safety’s deputy director; Texas Major General Thomas Suelzer, the Adjutant General; and Mike Banks, the Texas Border Czar.