AG Garland blasts Texas Gov. Abbott's 'dangerous and unlawful' legal directive

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland is urging Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) to consider undoing his executive order "restricting ground transportation of migrants who pose a risk of carrying COVID-19 into Texas communities."

In a letter addressed to the Republican governor, Garland described Abbott's order as "both dangerous and unlawful," according to Politico. "I urge you to immediately rescind Executive Order GA 37, entitled Relating to the transportation of migrants during the COVID-19 disaster," Garland began.

Garland wrote:

"The Order would jeopardize the health and safety of noncitizens in federal government custody, federal law enforcement personnel and their families, and our communities. Among other harms, the Order would exacerbate and prolong overcrowding in facilities and shelters and obstruct the federal government's arrangements with state, local, and non-governmental partners to ensure that released individuals are transported for appropriate COVID-19 testing to address public health concerns. Additionally, because federal law requires individuals processed for release to appear before immigration courts or report to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement offices throughout the country, the Order directly interferes with the implementation of federal immigration law."

Garland also explained how Abbott's executive order can be classified as a federal violation as the state does not have the power or jurisdiction to interfere with the government's "broad, undoubted power over the subject of immigration."

"The Order violates federal law in numerous respects, and Texas cannot lawfully enforce the Executive Order against any federal official or private parties working with the United States," Garland wrote.