Mexico’s President joins White House in condemning Texas Gov. Abbott’s immigration enforcement

Mexico’s president is calling on Mexicans living in the U.S. not to vote for “anti-immigrant” candidates such as Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R), who he condemned for issuing an order allowing migrants who illegally crossed into the U.S. to be detained and returned back to the border.

The executive order issued by Abbott authorizes the Texas National Guard and the Texas Department of Public Safety “to respond to this illegal immigration by apprehending immigrants who cross the border between ports of entry or commit other violations of federal law, and to return those illegal immigrants to the border at a port of entry.”

Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said Friday, according to The Hill, “If there’s a candidate from a party that mistreats immigrants and Mexicans, we’re going to ask our countrymen there that they don’t vote for that candidate or party.”

He added, “Even though we are respectful of the sovereignty of other countries, we see that there are anti-immigrant campaigns for electoral purposes. I consider it immoral.”

The White House also condemned Abbott’s immigration order, with press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre saying Friday: “Immigration enforcement is a federal authority and states should not be meddling in it. That is especially for Texas Gov. Abbott, who has a track record of causing chaos and confusion at the border.”

As reported by the Washington Examiner, during the news briefing, the press secretary was asked asked if Abbott’s order will run into any legal opposition from the Biden administration. “I was wondering if the administration is planning any legal response and if you’ll prohibit the National Guard from participating,” the reporter asked.

Jean-Pierre responded, “I would refer you to the Department of Justice on any legal matter. But again, immigration enforcement is a federal authority.”