Rice University political scientist weighs in on Gov. Abbott's '10 Most Wanted Criminal Illegal Immigrants' list
Political pundits call it an "astute political move" that "plays on fear" in an election year where border security remains a top issue for voters. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has launched a "10 Most Wanted Criminal Illegal Immigrants" list, a new initiative to locate and arrest illegal immigrants for dangerous crimes in Texas. The list includes 10 men who DPS said are the most dangerous criminal illegal immigrants, five of whom are last known to have been in the Houston area for crimes such as child molestation, murder and rape. The most wanted list is live online on the Texas DPS website, with a $5,000 reward offered for information leading to the arrest of any of these individuals. This move comes after President Joe Biden announced a new executive order that shuts down the asylum process between ports of entry once the daily average of illegal crossings surpasses 2,500. Rice University political scientist, Richard Jones, believes this move will have a larger political impact due to its exposure to the issue of border security.
Published : 10 months ago by Marcelino Benito (KHOU) in Politics Science General
Political pundits call it an "astute political move" that "plays on fear" in an election year where border security remains a top issue for voters.
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HOUSTON — Governor Greg Abbott has launched a "10 Most Wanted Criminal Illegal Immigrants" list. The list was described by the Governor's Office as a new initiative to locate and arrest illegal immigrants wanted for dangerous crimes committed in Texas.
It's just the latest move in an election year where border security remains a top issue for voters.
The most wanted list is live online on the Texas DPS website. It shows the names and 10 mugshots of men who DPS said are the most dangerous criminal illegal immigrants. Five are last known to have been in the Houston area wanted for crimes like child molestation, murder and rape.
"At the end of the day, the most wanted list and the reward will probably result in some tips that will lead to the apprehension of these individuals," said Jones. "The real impact is not taking 10 felons off the street, it's highlighting to the public in Texas that the Biden administration is failing to secure the border and has resulted in the presence of dangerous criminals in Texas."
This new most wanted list comes just a day after President Joe Biden announced a new executive order that shuts down the asylum process between ports of entry once the daily average of illegal crossings surpasses 2,500.
Jones said Biden is too trying to score political points and prove he's addressing border security ahead of a first presidential debate with Donald Trump. But Jones believes Abbott's move with this new fugitive list will likely have a larger political impact.
KHOU 11 News did try to talk to Governor Abbott on Wednesday. A spokesman says he was not available. Texas CrimeStoppers is offering up to a $5,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of any of these men.
Topics: Academia, Crime, Social Issues, Immigration