Weekly AG Round-Up: Biden Administration Rescinds Access to Healthcare for Vulnerable Texans

Staff Report

The responsibilities, of the Office of the Attorney General, are to serve as legal counsel to all boards and agencies of state government, issue legal opinions when requested by the Governor, heads of state agencies, and other officials and agencies as provided by Texas statutes.

The Texas AG sits as an ex-officio member of state committees and commissions and defends challenges to state laws and suits against both state agencies and individual employees of the State.

Many Texans look to the Office of the Attorney General for guidance with disputes and legal issues. The agency receives hundreds of letters, phone calls, and visits each week about crime victims’ compensation, child support, abuse in nursing homes, possible consumer fraud, and other topics.

To find out more about the Texas Attorney General, visit the official website at https://texasattorneygeneral.gov/.

Biden Administration Rescinds Access to Healthcare for Vulnerable Texans

Attorney General Ken Paxton gave this statement after the Biden Administration rescinded the 1115 Medicaid waiver extension previously granted by the Trump Administration.

The extension provides critical healthcare funding for children, people with disabilities, and the elderly.

“The Biden Administration has effectively blocked vulnerable Texans from accessing healthcare by stripping hospitals, nursing homes, and mental health centers of critical resources that serve our most vulnerable populations. Our state negotiated with the federal government for months in order to secure this necessary funding and, in the blink of an eye, President Biden grossly betrayed those who rely on our assistance the most. Texas will not stand for this disgusting removal of resources and I will use every legal tool available to regain the assistance Texans need.” 

Texas Law Enforcement Round-Up

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The Child Exploitation Unit

• Bexar County
Paul Wayne Eakes was arrested on April 13 in San Antonio. Eakes had 5 outstanding warrants for Possession of Child Pornography out of Coryell County. The unit received this case as a NCMEC CyberTipline report in 2016 involving the upload of child pornography to an online video blogging service.

In July 2017, CEU investigators executed a search warrant at a residence where the uploads occurred, however, investigators learned he was no longer a resident. Eakes was located and admitted to having knowledge of the suspect accounts, as well as viewing images of child pornography on his cellular device. He was arrested and transported to the Bexar County Jail. This arrest was made while working with the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force.

The Fugitive Apprehension Unit

• Harris County
Nathan Collins Duncan was arrested in Houston on April 13. Duncan had outstanding warrants for Assault Family/Household Members while Impeding Breath and Kidnapping issued by the Galveston Police Department.

• Harris County
Raymond Lights was arrested in Houston on April 12. Lights were convicted of Aggravated Robbery with a Deadly Weapon in Harris County and was sentenced to life in prison. Lights failed to comply with the terms of his parole and was issued a parole violation warrant by TDCJ.

Lights also has an additional outstanding warrant for Homicide issued by the Wharton County Sheriff’s Office. He also has pending charges for Evading with a Motor Vehicle filed by the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office after he led officials on a pursuit that resulted in the death of the passenger of his vehicle.

• Galveston County
Lawrence Anthony Franklin was arrested in Texas City on April 13. Franklin had two outstanding warrants for Aggravated Sexual Assault of a child issued by the Galveston Police Department. This arrest was made while working with the Gulf Coast Violent Offender Task Force.

AG Paxton Tours Midland Migrant Center to Assess Crisis Conditions

AUSTIN – Attorney General Ken Paxton visited the Midland migrant center at the Cotton Logistics Midland Man Camp, his second trip to a migrant center to assess the devastating impact of the ongoing border crisis firsthand.

Since January 2021, the Biden Administration’s immigration policy failures created surges of illegal immigration, smuggling, human trafficking, and a plethora of violent other crimes.

Currently, there are 375 children at the Midland facility, and more are expected to arrive as it transitions to accommodate male and female children aged 5 through 12, and female teens aged 13 through 17. Of the children at the facility, 30 have tested positive for COVID-19.

“President Biden’s refusal to enforce existing immigration law or even acknowledge the severity of this crisis is endangering Texans, law enforcement, and those who choose to cross the border illegally. Action must be taken now to curb this criminal and humanitarian disaster,” said Attorney General Paxton. “These children need individual care and our law enforcement needs support. Texas cannot continue dealing with the magnitude of this problem on its own. Nor should we. I will tirelessly fight the Biden Administration’s failures to ensure a safer Texas.”

More than 170,000 people attempted to cross the southwest border in March, marking the highest monthly total in 15 years.

Over the past year, U.S. Border Patrol reported a 400% increase in encounters with illegal aliens at the southwest border, including almost 200 assaults on Border Patrol agents using physical force, projectiles, vehicles, firearms, and edged weapons.

AG Paxton Visits San Antonio Migrant Center Amid Border Crisis

AUSTIN – Attorney General Ken Paxton visited the San Antonio migrant center at Freeman Coliseum amid the border crisis spurred on by President Joe Biden’s failed immigration policies.

Despite AG Paxton’s several successful lawsuits and letters warning of dangerous changes in law enforcement policy, the Biden Administration’s failure to curb illegal immigration surges and secure criminal aliens already convicted of felonies is increasing the already hostile border crisis.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), over 22,000 minor-aged aliens are housed in Texas: 18,000 by HHS and 4,700 by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

“The reality is there is no way we can be prepared to deal with this magnitude of a problem with this number of children in need. Staff at these facilities are stretched thin and straining to care for these children on an individual basis, which is what they desperately need. This is not good for the state, for our country, or for these children,” said Attorney General Paxton. “For the safety of Texas, our nation, and the thousands of kids housed at these facilities, I am using every legal resource available to sue the Biden Administration and end its failed policies. This is not the best way to bring people into our country. Better, safer, and more methodical ways must be enacted.”

More than 170,000 people attempted to cross the southwest border in March, marking the highest monthly total in 15 years.

Over the past year, U.S. Border Patrol reported a 400% increase in encounters with illegal aliens at the southwest border. In the past month alone, encounters have increased by 72%.

Border Patrol also reports that agents have faced 192 assaults since January 2021, including the use of physical force, projectiles, vehicles, firearms, and edged weapons.