Michael Badnarik was the Libertarian Party candidate for President of the United States in 2004. I worked on that campaign, and our statement on border policy was “it is easier to swim the Rio Grande than climb the mountain of paperwork”. People who try to follow the law find it nearly impossible, frustrating, and stupid. That is why they ignore the law.
I am not running for a federal office, but if I was my policy would be “if you are peaceful and productive, welcome”.
The governor of Texas does not make federal border policy. Texas does not have immigration enforcement for Oklahoma, Louisiana, New Mexico, or Mexico. The federal government has enforcement responsibility, and Texas can be cooperative in that enforcement. Being the state with the largest border, it is an issue that has high impact and the governor’s office needs to be involved.
Clearly, the Biden administration failed on this issue. I do give them credit for trying to fix it the right way through congressional action, which looked like it would pass until Trump killed it. Trump has dramatically reduced border crossings, but the ends don’t justify the means. Praising Trump for these results while killing and harassing people is like being happy if crime was eliminated by putting everyone in prison.
As governor, it would be my duty to be part of an effective immigration policy. I would refuse to do so if that meant harming the life, liberty, and property of Texans.