If you need extra time to read the facts, stop the video.
For years, Texans have been told that border security is one of the state’s highest priorities. Governor Greg Abbott has spent billions of taxpayer dollars on border-related initiatives, deployed state resources, and made border security a centerpiece of his administration.
Yet when a real threat began moving north toward Texas—one that endangered ranchers, livestock, pets, wildlife, and potentially humans—the warning signs were ignored.
That threat was the New World screwworm.
According to Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, officials had been watching screwworm steadily advance through Mexico for months. Miller publicly stated that he called for stronger protections, expanded surveillance, increased sterile fly production, and deployment of every available tool to stop the parasite before it reached Texas.
Miller also said he personally placed USDA research on the Sterile Worm Adult Suppression System (SWASS) and the original screwworm bait formula into the hands of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins on three separate occasions because he believed time was running out.
His warning was simple: prepare now or pay later.
Unfortunately, Texas is now paying later.
Multiple screwworm cases have been confirmed in Texas. What began as a single case quickly expanded to additional detections in different counties and different species. A calf became infected in La Salle County. A dog was found infected in Andrews County, nearly 400 miles north of the first confirmed case. Investigations continue as animal health officials work to determine the extent of the outbreak.
These are not isolated incidents that appeared out of nowhere. They are the predictable result of a threat that had been advancing for months.
The question Texans should ask is straightforward: How could a state government that claims border security is its top priority fail to stop an agricultural and economic threat that was literally moving toward the border in plain sight?
Texas ranchers depend on healthy livestock. Rural communities depend on agriculture. The state’s cattle industry contributes billions of dollars to the Texas economy. New World screwworm is not a political talking point—it is a flesh-eating parasite capable of causing severe suffering in animals and devastating economic damage if allowed to spread.
Governor Abbott has repeatedly demonstrated that when he considers something a priority, he can mobilize enormous state resources. Yet there was no comparable public urgency about screwworm. No statewide campaign. No sustained public warnings. No visible emergency mobilization before the parasite crossed into Texas.
Now, federal and state animal health officials are scrambling to contain the problem after infections have already been detected.
Texans deserve answers.
How long were state leaders aware of the advancing threat?
What preventative actions were taken before the first Texas case was discovered?
Were warnings from agricultural experts given the attention they deserved?
And most importantly, why was a preventable agricultural threat allowed to become a Texas problem?
The people who will bear the consequences are not politicians. They are ranchers worried about their herds, veterinarians treating infected animals, pet owners concerned for their companions, and taxpayers who may ultimately fund expensive eradication efforts.
Border security should mean more than political slogans and campaign advertisements. It should include measures to protect Texas from threats that can devastate farms, ranches, wildlife, and local economies.
If Commissioner Miller’s warnings were accurate, then Texas leaders had advance notice that the danger was coming.
The screwworm did not sneak into Texas overnight.
The warning signs were there.
The threat was known.
And Greg Abbott ignored it.
Greg Abbott is no longer working for the people of Texas.