'God's Army' protest convoy headed for Southern border

Summary

As tensions rise between Texas and the federal government over the influx of migrants at the southern border, a group called 'God's Army' plans to hold a peaceful rally they have dubbed the 'Take Our Border Back' convoy. The group aims to bring attention to the dangers of open borders and support Texas Governor Abbott's efforts to secure the border. Former Border Patrol agent and current Texas sheriff Thaddeus Cleveland expresses confidence that law enforcement professionals are trained to handle these situations safely, but also stresses the need to secure the border first before any immigration reform can happen.

Takeaways

• 😟 Tensions are escalating between Texas and the federal government over handling the influx of migrants at the southern border
• 😠 A group called 'God's Army' plans a peaceful rally to 'take back' the border, saying the American people 'have had enough'
• 👮‍♂️ The group wants to shed light on the 'dangers' of open borders and plans to split up for rallies in Eagle Pass, TX, Yuma, AZ and San Diego, CA on February 3rd
• 😡 Texas governor Abbott is feuding with the Biden administration over border enforcement measures after the Supreme Court favored federal power to remove razor wire Abbott installed
• 👷 Former president Trump and 25 Republican governors voice support for Abbott's efforts to secure the border
• 😟 Sheriff says crossings have gotten worse under Biden, with 30 migrant deaths in his county in the last 3 years compared to typically 1 per year historically
• 🤔 Sheriff acknowledges need for immigration reform to bring in workforce legally, but says border must be secured first
• 😨 Sheriff warns that open border policies are leading to deaths he considers inhumane
• 👮‍♂️ Sheriff expects upcoming border rallies to be safe because law enforcement professionals are trained to de-escalate tensions
• 😥 Overall the border situation has been an unresolved issue for decades despite periodic rallies and interest from varying political groups

Q & A

What is the 'take our border back' convoy planned by the group of self-proclaimed Patriots?

It is a planned peaceful rally by a group calling themselves 'God's Army' in protest of the influx of migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border. They are calling on law enforcement, military veterans, elected officials and other Americans to join their cause.

What support has the border protection efforts in Texas received?

Republican Congressman Keith South of Texas said he supports the 'take our border back' group. Republican governors from 25 states have also offered support to Texas Governor Greg Abbott's efforts to secure the border.

What measures did former President Trump take regarding border security?

Trump negotiated deals with Mexico, instituted the Remain in Mexico policy that required asylum seekers to wait in Mexico, and built new walls/fences along stretches of the U.S.-Mexico border.

How does Sheriff Thaddeus Cleveland view immigration reform proposals before the border is secured?

Sheriff Cleveland says any immigration reform must come after first securing the border, otherwise it will not work and will just incentivize more illegal immigration before limits are put in place.

What dangers or issues has Sheriff Cleveland seen happening at the border recently?

He cites 30 migrant deaths in his county in the last 3 years compared to typically only 1 per year historically. He feels the lack of policy by the Biden administration has led to more dangerous and inhumane conditions at the border currently.

What prior experience exists in handling rallies or demonstrations at the border?

Sheriff Cleveland cites experience dealing with groups on both sides of the issue going back to the 1990s and 2000s. He expresses confidence that law enforcement is trained and prepared to keep things safe and prevent escalation.

What did former President Trump propose governors should do to help Texas?

Trump called for Republican governors to go beyond just statements of support and actually send their states' National Guard troops to Texas to reinforce and support Governor Abbott's border security initiatives.

What tensions exist between Texas and the federal government on immigration issues?

Texas Governor Greg Abbott and the Biden Administration disagree over border enforcement measures and authority. Abbott installed razor wire at the border, which the federal government successfully sued to remove.

What risks or downsides exist with the planned border rally?

While law enforcement expects a peaceful rally, there is always a risk that armed protesters with anti-immigrant rhetoric could lead to dangerous escalations or violent incidents occurring.

What perspective does Sheriff Cleveland provide as both a former Border Patrol agent and a local sheriff?

His decades of firsthand border security experience give valuable insight. He understands the need to balance security, humanity and immigrant workforce demands.

Outlines

00:00

😀 Plans for 'Take Back Our Border' Convoy Protest

Paragraph 1 summarizes the plans for a 'Take Back Our Border' convoy protest organized by a group calling themselves 'God's Army'. The convoy aims to bring attention to the dangers of open southern borders and will travel from Virginia to Texas, Arizona, and California, stopping at several cities along the border on February 3. The group has support from some Republican lawmakers but faces opposition from the Biden administration over border security measures.

05:01

😕 Perspectives on Border Security from a Texas Sheriff

Paragraph 2 provides perspectives on border security issues from Thaddeus Cleveland, a Texas sheriff and former Border Patrol agent. He emphasizes the need to secure the border before immigration reform, highlights the increase in migrant deaths under the Biden administration, and states professionals are trained to handle potential protests to avoid escalation.

Keywords

💡border

The border refers to the U.S.-Mexico border that is the main topic of the video. There is controversy over border security and immigration policies. The 'Take Back Our Border' group plans to protest current border conditions. The border impacts border states like Texas but is argued to be a national issue.

💡migrants

Migrants are people who leave their home countries to seek better opportunities and living conditions elsewhere. There is currently a large influx of migrants at the southern U.S. border. The migrants are largely coming from poor or dangerous conditions but their arrival also poses challenges for border security and immigration processing.

💡Governor Abbott

Governor Abbott is the governor of Texas. He has instated measures like razor wire at the border to increase security, leading to conflict with the federal government. Abbott argues more action is needed to handle the situation at the border in Texas caused by migrant arrivals.

💡convoy

The 'Take Back Our Border' group is organizing a convoy to travel to the border and hold rallies there to protest current conditions. They want to 'shed light' on the 'dangers' of having an open border. The planned convoy shows the national scale of interest in the border issue.

💡Patriots

The group organizing the convoy call themselves 'Patriots' and 'God's Army', appealing to nationalism and law-and-order sentiments. Their language also hints at anti-immigrant views or opposition to the federal government's policies and actions.

💡peaceful

The organizers and supporters of the convoy say it will be a peaceful demonstration, but the sheriff interviewed expresses some concern over the possibility of violence, given political tensions and America's gun culture.

💡cartels

Mexican drug cartels control much of the illegal border crossings and exploit migrants desperate to enter the U.S. The sheriff argues that effectively stopping cartels requires secure borders first before any immigration reform.

💡deaths

The sheriff states that migrant deaths in his county have dramatically spiked over the past three years under Biden, implying that more open border policies are to blame for putting migrants in danger when crossing illegally.

💡rhetoric

The reporter notes heated political rhetoric describing migrants as 'poisoning the blood' of America and migration as an 'invasion', which risks provoking violence when combined with the country's gun culture.

💡security

Border security is a key point of debate regarding immigration and the border situation. Enhanced security measures are portrayed both as deterring illegal crossings and stopping cartels, as well as putting migrants in greater danger.

Highlights

A group called God's Army plans to hold a peaceful rally called the 'take our border back' convoy.

The group plans to travel from Virginia to Texas, making stops along the border on February 3rd.

Texas is receiving support from 25 Republican governors, with Trump calling for them to send National Guard troops.

The border issue impacts more than just border states, with migrants moving inland across the U.S.

Previous administrations have also struggled to find the right approach to border security.

Securing the border must come before any immigration reform.

Cartels are exploiting weaknesses in current laws to continue smuggling.

A balance is needed between security and humane treatment of migrants seeking a better life.

Border counties have seen a spike in migrant deaths under the current administration.

More workers are needed, but the border must be secured first.

The planned protest aims to show support for border protection.

There are concerns about the protest turning violent, given the political climate.

Law enforcement is trained to de-escalate potential clashes at the border.

Texas has partnered with border patrol for years to increase security.

Officials are confident the protest will remain peaceful.

Transcripts

correspondent Maura Sirianni

reports on the group's plans.

>> As tensions escalate

between the federal government

in Texas over how to handle

the influx of migrants at the

U.S. Mexico border. This week,

a group of self-proclaimed

Patriots is planning a

peaceful rally in what

organizers are calling the

take our border back convoy,

according to its website, the

convoy have called themselves

God's Army and are calling on

active and retired law

enforcement military veterans,

elected officials and other

law abiding freedom loving

Americans to join the cause.

people

>> are committed to a peaceful

demonstration that we've had

enough. The American people

have had enough.

>> Last week on FOX business

Republican Congressman Keith

south of Texas. said he

supports the group which plans

to leave Monday from Virginia

Beach and head south to

Jacksonville, Florida, before

making several stops along the

border on February. 3rd, the

group plans to split up for 3

separate valleys in Eagle Pass

Texas, Yuma, Arizona, in

Santa. See Joe California.

Kamala leaders telling Vice

news they want to, quote, shed

light on the obvious dangers

posed by wide open southern

borders. It comes amid a feud

between Texas Governor Greg

Abbott in the Biden White

House over border enforcement

measures. It's unfortunate

that there is a governor in

Texas, Governor Abbott who has

politicized this issue of

what's happening on the

border.

>> And it's not making

people's lives safer. It's

actually making harder for law

enforcement at at the border

to do their job over the

weekend. Governor Abbott

vowing the fight is not over

after the Supreme Court voted

5 to 4 last week in favor of

the federal government's power

to remove razor wire installed

at Abbott's direction along

stretches of the border in

Texas. Former President Donald

Trump over the weekend in Las

Vegas commenting on the

situation.

>> When I'm president instead

of trying to send Texas a

restraining order, I will send

them reinforcements.

>> Texas now receiving support

from Republican governors of

25 states Trump calling for

those governors to take it one

step further and send their

National Guard troops to Texas

in support of Governor

Abbott's efforts to secure the

border are Sirianni Scripps

News.

>> Thaddeus Cleveland as the

sheriff and Row County, Texas.

Also former Border Patrol

agent. And joining us now for

more perspective on what

happened, what is happening

there at the borders, D C

perhaps is poised to take some

fairly dramatic action here.

Appreciate your time, sir.

Thanks for me. With us here on

on morning rush. I'm curious

in broad strokes for folks who

don't live in Texas or Arizona

or California are parts of

Florida. Talk to us about why

you think the border issue is

worthy of national attention

as more than just a border

state issue.

>> Hey, good morning. Thank

you for having me. And I'll

tell you what you know been

almost 2 years now. And before

that, all just over, 26 years

as a Border Patrol agent. And

before that raised on the

border moment, almost The

military must Washington,

D.C., headquarters. Oh, this

been going that long it much

longer before. And I many

times and and in

circumstances, 2 groups of

people home, you know, before

this administration, we have.

For administration is going

President Clinton, President

Bush, President Obama and

President Trump, all for stray

shuns contributing to a safer,

more secure, more. It got to

the point where President

Trump, you know what, he did a

whole Mexico Street to the

fire it as well as instituting

the NPP my protection

protocols, which is what we

need back right now to stop

what's going on with solo

stuff guess get back to

question. You know this, but

that she saw just just doesn't

fit are border communities

because they're here. They

cross the border for short

time and they're going to

places where you're at now.

All across United States.

>> news at this, it has been

an issue and has been a topic

conversation for decades and

no one has really seem to get

it all the way right. Right

How are you feeling when it

comes to talks about the

border what's going to happen

next? What do you think are

the next actionable steps to

give some real tangible

results and to move forward.

>> You know, first and

foremost, what what? I've seen

it in the Senate with the

proposed and it isn't going to

work. We have 2 first securing

border. was your the board?

You can start looking at some

sort of immigration reform

because if you start talking

about immigration reform

before can secure the border,

you're going have that all

people. We still putting

limits. You know, we will see

the term that they're going to

use. 5,000 people have that as

a measuring stick of tell you

what most Arizona and that we

make teachers of marijuana. It

got to where this is

returning. What anything on

her 500 pounds of marijuana or

anything 25 people in a small

loan just started is 499

pounds. 24 people, the cartels

are smart enough to to work at

just under the laws and

continue to flow toward with

people.

>> And when you say obviously

folks cross over here, you

know, we all know that they're

leaving pretty hellish

conditions back in their home

country and by and large,

they're coming to America for

a better life. Have you been

strike a balance between what

we do, what we need to do to

be secure as a country, but

also the same time being

humane to these people who are

coming here for a better life

and not only for a better life

coming to a country that was

built by immigrants to begin

with. So have you had to walk

that line in a way that's fair

and humane.

>> You know, could agree with

you more in a good first. We

have to secure border from

those that are coming to do us

harm. Those that are smuggling

applause. Did you look at

that? immigration reform, as I

mentioned earlier and having

orderly process to bring

people in our country is no

doubt we need workforce year.

There's no doubt that the

people that are there doing

construction in our cities,

hotel rooms, process in

poultry process will picking

And that's they're able

labor's. They cross right to

my county woman. What religion

or what was a Border Patrol

agent more? I'm sure we need

that workforce, but we have to

secure border first. And

that's really looking at those

programs. Both incident. You

know what's happening right

now? You just what we're told

are being pitted against the

state of Texas both of those

ages, including might see and

local law enforcement we're

working to get in my county

alone. Historically, we have

one death a year one day, this

last 3 years since this

administration over, we've had

30 shopping. So you I can tell

you what's happening in Eagle.

Lukeville sending see the role

and evil and hear my county.

It's not humane. People are

dying because of the lack of

policy by this administration.

>> The take back our border

event could draw thousands to

the border to protest current

conditions right now on as a

share of near the border. How

concerned are you that is

something could happen there.

>> got to share the ball. I

think you're People want to

come down and show support and

we get a little time that get

people to come out of Houston.

One guy made friends drugs

they come out. They cook. For

more, we're joined Cook for

state personnel. They waved

American flags for which it is

all on the board before. You

know what was used on the

border? I think it will be

safe secure because they want

to get down here and just be

able to support show their

support for those that are

protecting the borders.

>> But, sir, I mean, listen,

you you're well aware of the

climate really we're living

right now. We all certainly

hope it is. It is peaceful.

But there is a certain cowboy

mentality that some people

have in a country with a gun

problem, whether any were

immigrants coming out and you

hear rhetoric like they're

poisoning the blood of our

country. It's an invasion.

It's a caravan. You mix the

guns with the rhetoric and the

political climate of the

country. And certainly there

is the possibility here things

not going going well. I don't

want to gloss over over that.

And and and that's what I

want. Your reaction, realistic

reaction to what you think is

potentially stewing here.

>> It looked to what that

role. We've been h*** and

stuff like this for years. And

what I mean by Helen stuff

like this again, that in the

late 90's and 2000. as Arizona

been about 10 years, there's

only Arizona Nogales and goes

with the hot spots. We have

any groups coming to the

border. We had based

organizations come of the

border. then we were there to

to balance both of those. Both

of those sides. So we've got a

lot of experience and that

from the war, but also in the

House. you look at the

partnership with the state of

Texas. Look back in 2008 been

6 months important hills

represented a ticket to state

of Texas. The state of Texas

has been to a more secure for

many, many, many years. A

matter of fact, if you go to

their headquarters, you look

at the wall. There was black

and white photos aboard a toy

jundt and DPS troopers point

being is that we're trained.

Professionals were trained to

care, have a situation like

this and to build the

escalating things. Yes, you're

right. We've always got be

prepared, especially in day

and age. but and I'm confident

that it's going to okay guys

are going to be all

>> And that that's that's the

point that you guys are

professionals and trained.

Others are are not so Just

highlighting that.

>> Trial County, Texas

sheriff, that is Cleveland.