HOUSTON, April 2, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - More than 200 migrants who crossed the border from Mexico to the United States in March after breaking through a fence have been charged with "rioting" and risk deportation, Texas Governor Greg Abbott said Monday night.

A "large group of migrants" broke through a razor wire fence on the border and pushed by troops to enter Texas on March 21, according to immigration authorities at the time.

"Rioting charges for 222 migrants who broke thru razor wire & knocked down Texas National Guard," Abbott posted on social media platform X.

"ICE confirmed it is getting custody of all those charged with rushing the border & will start deportation proceedings against all of them," the Republican governor said, referring to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The migrants pushed aside part of a razor wire barricade the Texas National Guard had installed between the Rio Grande river -- the natural boundary between Texas and Mexico -- and the border wall in the west Texas city of El Paso.

The incident occurred as a Texas law winds its way through the courts that would allow state police to arrest and deport migrants who cross illegally into the United States from Mexico.

The law, known as Senate Bill 4, has been placed on hold in the latest round of legal wrangling.

Immigration is emerging as one of the most divisive issues of November's presidential election.

Republicans blame President Joe Biden for the recent record flow of migrants into the United States, while the White House says ex-president Donald Trump's party deliberately sabotaged a bipartisan attempt to find a solution.