In a recent radio interview, Texas Governor Greg Abbott's remarks regarding the shooting of migrants attempting to cross into the state have sparked widespread backlash. The comments were made during an interview with host Dana Loesch on January 5, where Abbott discussed his administration's efforts to control the southern border.

When asked about the maximum amount of pressure he, as governor, could implement to protect the border, Abbott responded, "We're doing everything we possibly can. The only thing that we're not doing - we're not shooting people that come across the border because, of course, the Biden administration would charge us with murder."

Abbott's comments come amid a significant increase in migrant arrivals at the United States-Mexico border. In December 2023 alone, border authorities encountered over 225,000 individuals, according to Homeland Security data shared with CNN.

The Texas governor has drawn criticism for his escalating anti-migrant rhetoric and contentious measures employed to curb migration at the border. Among these actions are the busing of migrants to blue states and the introduction of a floating barrier with circular saws along the Rio Grande.

Earlier this month, the Biden administration filed a lawsuit against Texas over a new law signed by Abbott. The law allows local law enforcement to arrest migrants and grants judges the authority to order deportations, which the administration argues violates constitutional mandates giving federal authorities sole responsibility for border enforcement.

Abbott's latest comments have further raised concerns and drew strong condemnation from Texas Democrats. Chair of the Texas Democratic Party, Gilberto Hinojosa, argued that Abbott's words exhibited a lack of morality and humanity, claiming that Texas Republicans see separating families, building medieval death traps, and mass imprisonment as their only solutions to secure the border.

Hinojosa compared Abbott's rhetoric to that of domestic terrorists and accused him, along with Senator Ted Cruz and former President Donald Trump, of endorsing dangerous immigration policies. Hinojosa urged Texas residents to support more moderate politicians in the upcoming Texas primary on March 5th.

Democratic Texas Representative Veronica Escobar also criticized Abbott directly on social media, referencing the 2019 racially motivated mass shooting in El Paso. Escobar said, "I can't believe I have to say 'murdering people is unacceptable.' It's language like yours that left 23 people dead and 22 others injured in El Paso."

Public reaction on social media has been mixed, with some users mocking Abbott's stance, particularly given his self-professed Christian and pro-life identity. Many questioned the inconsistency of his beliefs with talk of shooting migrants at the border, branding his comments as hypocritical.

The controversy surrounding Abbott's remarks highlights the deep divide in opinions regarding immigration policies and border security. As the debate rages on, the focus remains on the safety and humanitarian treatment of migrants, as well as the enforcement of immigration laws in a manner that respects human rights.