Gov. Greg Abbott issued an executive order Wednesday restricting ground transportation of migrants who pose a risk of carrying COVID-19.

The executive order also directed the Texas Department of Public Safety to stop any vehicle that they believe could be in violation and re-route it back to its point of origin or entry, according to a news release from the governor’s office.

READ THE ORDER HERE

The order will reduce the risk of COVID-19 exposure in the community, Abbott stated in the release.

The order was made after Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez released a statement saying that due to multiple reports of migrants being released with COVID, he's calling on federal immigration officials to stop releasing them into the community. 

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