Texas Governor Greg Abbott has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Governor Samuel Garcia of Nuevo Leon to increase border security measures and improve the flow of traffic across the Colombia Solidarity International Bridge. The agreement went into effect on April 13th.

This MOU follows an April 6th letter from Governor Abbott directing the Texas Department of Public Safety to “conduct enhanced safety inspections of vehicles as they cross international ports of entry into Texas.” In a press conference on April 13th announcing the MOU, Governor Abbott stated that he intends to seek similar agreements from other Mexican states with border crossings into Texas. A HillCo summary of the press conference can be found below and the full text of the MOU can be found here.

Governor Abbott Press Conference

April 13, 2021

Texas Governor Greg Abbott held a press conference with Nuevo Leon Governor Samuel Garcia on April 13th to announce and sign a memorandum of understanding between Nuevo Leon and Texas.

This report is intended to give you an overview and highlight of the discussions on the various topics taken up. It is not a verbatim transcript of the discussions but is based upon what was audible or understandable to the observer and the desire to get details out as quickly as possible with few errors or omissions.

 

Texas Governor Greg Abbott

  • Two Governors are showing how to lead on issues, joined by Gov. Samuel GarcĂ­a of Nuevo Leon; met to agree on solutions
  • Border bridges have been clogged due to Texas policy to do inspections, 25% of vehicles found to be unsafe for roads and removed, also large number of illegal immigrants assisted by cartels
  • Gov. Garcia will enhance border security measures on the Nuevo Leon side of the border
  • Texas DPS can return to previous practice of random searches of vehicles from Nuevo Leon, bridge between Nuevo Leon and Texas will return to normal now
  • Working on agreements with other states, Texas DPS will thoroughly inspect all vehicles from other Mexican states aside from Nuevo Leon until agreements are finalized
  • Understand frustration of businesses, but way to end border clogs is to secure the border; constituents should contact Biden administration to enforce immigration policy
  • President Biden knows that his immigration policies assist cartels, damage citizens, and lead to increased fentanyl across the border
  • Texas law enforcement has arrested migrants that have evaded US Border Patrol
  • Until Biden admin enforces policies, Texas will continue to use its own border security strategies and seeking agreements with other states

Nuevo Leon Governor Samuel Alejandro GarcĂ­a SepĂşlveda

  • Alliance with Texas is very important, thanks Texas for the cross-border vaccination process
  • Came to the border on Monday to start a new highway, starting many more new highways to improve transit between Texas & Nuevo Leon
  • Heard of issues with border crossings and contacted Gov. Abbott to assist on security
  • Nuevo Leon & Texas are making a memorandum of understanding that both sides need a more secure border
  • Nuevo Leon established a series of checkpoints to increase security, 14km border will be patrolled by local Nuevo Leon law enforcement & Texas will be comfortable doing business with Nuevo Leon
  • Nuevo Leon is aspiring to have the best port of entry between the two states, need to start now with security, highways, and better connection
  • Wishes neighbors could join the MOU, Nuevo Leon is very happy to strengthen the economic region

 

Governor Abbott & Governor Garcia sign the MOU

 

Questions

  • What would you say to those who say the policy you put in place last week was a publicity stunt that blew up in your face?
    • Gov. Abbott – Goal last week was to show that the border issue is serious, knew we would be contacted by officials in Mexico; sometimes takes action like this to work out issues
    • Today doing something with Gov. of Nuevo Leon that President Biden would not do, looking forward to working with other Governors who have bridges coming into Texas
  • What would you say to business owners that have been hit by your efforts to make a point?
    • Gov. Abbott – Stats show Texas has the strongest GDP of any state in the US, Texas has been ranked the #1 state for business
    • People in Texas who may have suffered some hardship because it took a few extra hours to get things across the border, agree that we have suffered from Biden admin’s policies; have demanded that Title 42 expulsions be kept in place
  • How would you respond to taxpayers that their money is going to bus migrants to Washington, DC
    • Gov. Abbott – Biden admin and Congressional leaders do not know about chaos caused by their policies, showing the admin what is happening to Texas
    • First busload arrived in Washington, DC today, will be more arriving by bus and plane
  • Have the inspections had the desired effect?
    • Gov. Abbott – Would need to defer to Texas DPS, found vehicles with dangerous issues like faulty brakes, etc.
  • Asks Gov. Garcia about the MOU
    • Gov. Garcia – MOU is that Nuevo Leon will compromise and improve its security, want to ensure Texas feels comfortable doing business with Nuevo Leon
    • Transit was stopped and things like fresh food were set to spoil
    • Nuevo Leon will help with and enhance border security and Texas can help with commerce
    • Nuevo Leon will be an example for other states in Mexico that they can solve these issues and don’t have to wait for other governments
  • Asks about increased security in Nuevo Leon
    • Gov. Abbott – Before we entered into this agreement, wanted to make sure Nuevo Leon had a plan, Texas DPS observed no activity across the border and increased personnel ensuring safety standards
    • Have been contacted by every Governor with a bridge into Texas, these meetings will begin as soon as tomorrow, as well as a meeting with a national official who wants to meet and discuss the problem
    • If other states show the same initiative shown by Gov. Garcia, will be able to quickly reach a deal and ensure ports are open
  • Asks after number of migrants being sent to Washington, DC
    • Gov. Abbott – Can’t say ultimate number, 24 arrived today
  • Asks after security standards
    • Gov. Abbott – Mexico and Nuevo Leon will have their own standards, Director McCraw has said he is satisfied with the standards in use by Nuevo Leon
  • Asks after 25% of vehicles found to be deficient in safety standards
    • Gov. Abbott – Texas DPS takes that extremely seriously, will always use necessary practices to make sure vehicles are safe
    • Steve McCraw, DPS – Vehicles are pulled out of service
  • What are the security standards in Nuevo Leon?
    • Gov. Garcia – Already begin on Monday, installed some checkpoints
    • Trying to get some agreements to increase checks, increasing local law enforcement to ensure crossings are safe and present no threat to Texas