Texas Gov. Greg Abbott quickly blamed Joe Biden after 46 migrants were found dead in a tractor-trailer outside San Antonio on Monday.
“These deaths are on Biden,” the governor said on Twitter. “They are a result of his deadly open border policies. They show the deadly consequences of his refusal to enforce the law.”
At Least 42 People Found Dead Inside Truck Carrying Migrants In Texas.
These deaths are on Biden.
They are a result of his deadly open border policies.
They show the deadly consequences of his refusal to enforce the law. https://t.co/8KG3iAwlEk
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) June 28, 2022
Several fellow Republicans also blamed Biden’s immigration policies for the tragedy. Senator Ted Cruz tweeted, “How many more people have to die before Dems give a damn?”
Horrific. This..is..WRONG.
How many more people have to die before Dems give a damn?#BidenBorderCrisis https://t.co/rRa1nAAPxr
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) June 28, 2022
Abbott has made immigration a centerpiece of his reelection campaign as he seeks a third term as the state’s top leader.
His opponent, former El Paso congressman Beto O’Rourke, also tweeted about the “devastating” discovery and the need for change.
This is devastating. Our thoughts go out to the families of those who lost their lives in San Antonio today.
We need urgent action — dismantle human smuggling rings and replace them with expanded avenues for legal migration that reflect our values and meet our country’s needs. https://t.co/FVDBGFm9Oh
— Beto O'Rourke (@BetoORourke) June 28, 2022
“We need urgent action — dismantle human smuggling rings and replace them with expanded avenues for legal migration that reflect our values and meet our country’s needs,” the Democrat said.
The incident is the latest tragedy to claim the lives of migrants smuggled across the border from Mexico to the U.S.
Sixteen survivors, including four children, were rushed to nearby hospitals for heat stroke and exhaustion. They were found by a local staffer, who investigated the scene after hearing a faint cry for help emanating from the truck. No children were among the dead, according to officials.
Three people were taken into custody following the discovery, San Antonio Police Chief William P. McManus said. He did not expand on their identities.
The incident marks the deadliest human smuggling on American soil since 2003 when 19 migrants died after riding inside the rear compartment of an 18-wheeler while they traveled from South Texas to Houston.
