Hanging on razor wire

Regarding “Some Republicans call for Texas to ignore Supreme Court border ruling: ‘Let’s see them enforce it,’ ” (Jan. 23): It is shocking to read that certain members of Congress are advocating for the state of Texas to ignore a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court allowing federal agents to remove Texas-owned razor wire along the Rio Grande. The immigration situation in this country is clearly a mess and in need of fixing, but it is a problem that has existed for many years, through both Republican and Democrat administrations. We stand little chance of our immigration policy being fixed without bipartisan support of Congress.

It is heartbreaking to read that U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, R-Austin, says Texas should ignore the ruling. Roy, an attorney licensed in Texas, has sworn an oath to “support the Constitution of the United States.” As a member of Congress, he has sworn to “support and defend the Constitution of the United States.” Unfortunately, Roy is not alone in his belief that rulings of the Supreme Court carry no weight. Like a petulant child, he is apparently of the position that if the highest court in the land takes a position contrary to his own, he is free to disregard it.

We often hear of the rule of law and its importance to the administration of justice in an orderly society. Roy and his ilk behave as if they own the ball and that if ruled against, they get to take it and go home. We’re not playing a child’s game here. By pushing the state to defy a Supreme Court ruling, he has clearly disregarded his oath of office and is unfit to be a lawyer or member of Congress.

Tim Johnson, Houston

The article cites U.S. Rep. Chip Roy as stating in a post on X (his platform of choice to deliver his thoughts to Texas citizens), “This opinion is unconscionable and Texas should ignore it.”

Not long ago, in November 2023, Roy went to the floor to deliver a scorching speech. “I want my Republican colleagues to give me one thing — one! — that I can go campaign on and say we did. One!” Roy yelled. “Anybody sitting in the complex, you want to come down to the floor and come explain to me one material, meaningful, significant thing the Republican majority has done. …” Now would be the time to support the bipartisan immigration bill negotiated in the U.S. Senate, rather than foment lawlessness.

As noted by Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., in January, “To my Republican friends: To get this kind of border security without granting a pathway to citizenship is really unheard of. … So to my Republican colleagues, this is a historic moment to reform the border.” Roy’s response? “The bill’s terrible.”

This episode exemplifies why many citizens continue to express concerns about the discourse of politicians supporting unlawful acts, rather than engaging in bipartisan legislative work to find resolutions to the serious challenges our country faces at home and throughout the world. Let us not forget that immigration challenges result from global issues.

Mary Cook, Houston

1835: You want this cannon? Come and take it. 2024: You want this razor wire? Come and take it.

Jack Gaarder, Spring