Hundreds of Texas National Guardsmen participated in a swearing-in ceremony to allow them to enforce immigration law in partnership with U.S. Border Patrol agents.
U.S. Border Patrol Chief Michael Banks posted a video on X showing hundreds of Texas National Guard soldiers taking the oath of office. The commission empowers the guardsmen with Title 8 immigration authority to support Border Patrol agents along the Texas-Mexico border.
Texas National Guard sworn in and ready to serve! Taking the oath, empowered with Title 8 authority to support Border Patrol in enforcement actions. Securing our border, together. pic.twitter.com/9baUvtkKot
— Chief Michael W. Banks (@USBPChief) February 15, 2025
Earlier this month, Breitbart Texas’ Randy Clark first reported on a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Acting CBP Commissioner Pete Flores. The MOU grants trained Texas National Guard soldiers the authority to perform roving patrols and “exercise all the duties of an immigration agent” as long as a Border Patrol agent or an immigration officer accompanies them. The memorandum requires one federal immigration officer or agent for every four guardsmen.
“The latest granting of immigration arrest authority adds at least 3,000 Texas Army National Guard soldiers to the number of ATF, FBI, and United States Deputy Marshals who are now assisting the Department of Homeland Security in enforcing federal immigration law,” Clark wrote.
This week’s swearing-in of the guardsmen puts the MOU into operational status. The state soldiers can act as a force multiplier for Border Patrol agents and immigration officers.
Bob Price is the Breitbart Texas-Border team’s associate editor and senior news contributor. He is an original member of the Breitbart Texas team. Price is a regular panelist on Fox 26 Houston’s What’s Your Point? Sunday morning talk show. He also serves as president of Blue Wonder Gun Care Products.
