Melissa Ford Maldonado, Secure & Sovereign Texas policy director at Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF), is in support of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ plan for the border following his visit to Texas.
In a June 26 press release from the TPPF, Maldonado stated that Texas has bore the brunt in the fight against the border crisis for a long time, and believes DeSantis’ plan for the future will help regain control.
“The time is now to secure the border, stop the cartels, protect our communities, and uphold the values that make the United States a beacon of hope and opportunity,” Maldonado said in the release.
In the release Maldonado added, “Governor DeSantis has proposed a strong plan that highlights the urgent need to regain operational control of the border, confront and dismantle criminal organizations, implement physical barriers to enhance security and ensure orderly and legal processes, and fosters cooperation with states to enforce the law.”
During a trip to the Southern border, DeSantis promised to declare the crisis at the border a national emergency should he be elected president. "On Jan. 20, 2025, we will be on a mission to stop the invasion at our southern border to fight the drug cartels that are poisoning our citizenry, to build the border wall, and to reestablish the sovereignty of this nation. We are done with promises," DeSantis said, according to FOX News. "We are done with slogans. Now is the time for action. No excuses. We will get the job done.”
According to Fox News, DeSantis criticized the Biden Administration and said that it is "humiliating as a country to not have control over our own territory.” He pointed out that “this border is controlled by the Mexican drug cartels. That is a disgrace.”
According to the press release, Maldonado said, “It’s heartening to see presidential candidates join the state’s leadership in recognizing the importance of a unified effort between states and the federal government to tackle the national security challenges and a growing humanitarian crisis, and begin to offer detailed plans to implement the policies Texas and the country deserve.”
According to Fox News, in the most recent GOP nomination poll DeSantis is in a distant second place behind former President Donald Trump, but maintains a lead over the other numerous contenders vying for the nomination.