Amidst the escalating tensions between Texas Governor Greg Abbott and the Biden administration over immigration enforcement at the U.S.-Mexico border, calls are growing for President Joe Biden to federalize the Texas National Guard if Abbott refuses to back down. Several Texas Democrats, including U.S. Representatives Joaquin Castro and Vicente Gonzalez, have urged President Biden to assert federal control over the National Guard in order to resolve the jurisdictional clashes and ensure effective border security.

The dispute stems from Governor Abbott's nearly three-year-old Operation Lone Star, a multibillion-dollar border security initiative, which has led to a series of confrontations with the federal government. The latest controversy revolves around Shelby Park in Eagle Pass, where the state, after taking over the park, has reportedly restricted Border Patrol agents' access to critical areas along the Rio Grande, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

The recent 5-4 Supreme Court decision lifted a lower court's injunction that had banned federal agents from removing razor wire deployed by state troops along the border. Following the ruling, Texas National Guard soldiers were seen deploying more razor wire. In response, Rep. Joaquin Castro called on President Biden to take exclusive federal control of the Texas National Guard, alleging that Governor Abbott is obstructing border operations and using the National Guard for political gain.

Castro condemned the governor for manipulating National Guard resources and jeopardizing their safety. He pointed out that since the start of Operation Lone Star, ten Texas National Guard troopers, including four who died by suicide over an eight-week period, have lost their lives. He emphasized that the troops signed up to serve their country, not to become pawns in Governor Abbott's efforts to create chaos at the border.

Other Texas Democrats, including Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, have supported federalizing the National Guard to enhance border security. Gonzalez criticized Governor Abbott for wasting billions of tax dollars without improving the border situation. He called on the Biden administration to intervene and utilize the National Guard to aid Customs and Border Protection and other agencies in enforcing immigration laws effectively.

However, Governor Abbott and other Republicans have dismissed the notion that President Biden would consider federalizing the National Guard. Abbott argued that such a move would be ill-advised and would not impede the state's border-related activities, as many of those involved in Operation Lone Star are state law enforcement officers who are exempt from federalization.

Despite criticism from the Biden administration, Abbott has enjoyed support from nearly every Republican governor who signed a statement endorsing the use of razor wire fences and other strategies to secure the border. The governors encouraged their counterparts to focus on bipartisan negotiations in Congress to address border issues rather than advocating for National Guard federalization.

While Biden has legal authority under the Insurrection Act to federalize the Texas National Guard, experts urge caution in invoking this measure. The Insurrection Act, commonly used during civil unrest, lacks robust safeguards against abuse. Historically, it has been deployed sparingly, with the last notable instance occurring during the 1992 Los Angeles riots in response to a request from the state's governor.

Joseph Nunn, counsel with the Brennan Center for Justice's liberty and national security program, emphasized that invoking the Insurrection Act should only be considered in emergency situations when civilian authorities are overwhelmed or when state or local authorities defy federal law. Nunn believes that although Governor Abbott's actions have escalated the situation, it is not yet at the point where federalization is necessary.

As the standoff continues, the Biden administration remains critical of Abbott's border operations, but officials have not endorsed the idea of federalizing the National Guard. The White House Press Secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, declined to comment on potential actions the president might take, urging Republican governors to focus on supporting a bipartisan border deal currently being negotiated in the Senate.

The immigration standoff between Governor Abbott and the Biden administration raises concerns about the situation's progression and the potential for a conflict between state and federal authorities. While federalizing the National Guard may be viewed as a last resort, experts caution against premature invocation, reiterating the need to exhaust all other options before considering such a step.