Border Crisis Aid Likely Coming From Montgomery County

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, TX — Montgomery County could be sending aid to the Texas-Mexico border soon.

In response to Gov. Greg Abbott's statewide call for jailers to assist border sheriffs with operating detention facilities, the Montgomery County Commissioners Court held a special meeting Tuesday to address the county's response to the border crisis.

After entering executive session, commissioners held off on a disaster declaration and passed a motion to communicate with state and border county agencies to determine what resources are needed and to negotiate a mutual aid agreement.

Attempts to reach County Judge Mark Keough's office were unreturned, but Montgomery County's response to the border crisis is expected to be further addressed at a future meeting.

Abbott first issued a disaster declaration for 34 counties near the Texas-Mexico border on May 31. He amended that order Friday to include 28 counties, removing several counties that didn't declare local disasters and adding more that did. On Thursday, Abbott amended the order again, adding seven more counties that made local disaster declarations.

Abbott also announced earlier this month that Texas is allocating $250 million as a down payment for a proposed border wall, according to the Texas Tribune.

Montgomery County Sheriff Rand Henderson released a statement Tuesday indicating his willingness to send resources to the border if needed.

"The crisis at the border affects more than just those citizens who live along the border but also the victims of human and drug trafficking organizations," Henderson said in a news release. "Criminal entities have exploited this crisis to further their illicit activities. Recent changes to border policy have created a dangerous environment for all the citizens of the State of Texas."