Texas Gov. declares disaster in state over border crisis Wednesday, 02 June 2021 8:22 AM [ Last Update: Wednesday, 02 June 2021 8:22 AM ] Asylum-seeking migrant families walk while being escorted by the U.S. Border Patrol after crossing the Rio Grande river into the United States from Mexico, in Roma, Texas, US May 6, 2021. (Reuters photo) Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott has issued a disaster declaration along or near the Lone Star State’s border with Mexico in response to an “ongoing surge” of illegal immigrants. Abbott issued the declaration for 34 counties on Tuesday, blaming President Joe Biden’s immigration policies for the worsening crisis. “President Biden’s open-border policies have paved the way for dangerous gangs and cartels, human traffickers, and deadly drugs like fentanyl to pour into our communities,” he said.