2023-07-24 22:05:47
UNITED STATES
Texas defies the federal state with its anti-immigrant barrier
Texas believes it is protecting its “sovereign” interests by installing a floating barrier on the Rio Grande to prevent migrant crossings.
Posted25 July 2023, 00:05
The buoys were installed on the river this month, as was barbed wire on the shore.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott on Monday challenged the Department of Justice, which in turn filed a lawsuit once morest his state over a floating barrier on the Rio Grande intended to prevent migrant crossings from Mexico.
The department told Texas last week that these large orange buoys near Eagle Pass were obstructing passage on the river and lacked federal clearances. “This floating barrier poses a risk to navigation as well as public safety on the Rio Grande,” the ministry said, also citing “humanitarian concerns.”
“political games”
In a letter to Democratic President Joe Biden, the Republican governor on Monday claimed he had the power to protect Texas’ “sovereign” interests by installing the buoys and accused Joe Biden of failing in his own responsibilities regarding illegal immigration.
“If you really value human life, you need to start enforcing federal immigration laws,” he wrote. “By doing this, you can help me prevent migrants from risking their lives in the waters of the Rio Grande,” he added, and concluded, “Texas gives you a court date, Mr. President.”
A Biden administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Republicans were “playing political games.” For several years, elected officials on the right have been indignant at the arrival of illegal immigrants, which they describe as an invasion. Donald Trump and his main rival for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, have both placed the notion of an out-of-control border at the heart of their campaigns.
Barbed wire
But the Biden administration counters that the number of illegal crossings has plummeted since new asylum rules were introduced. “Republican officials don’t want a solution. They want chaos,” the government official said.
The buoys were installed on the Rio Grande this month, as was barbed wire on the shore. According to press reports, migrants got caught in this fence and had to be rescued. A leaked Border Patrol document also said barbed wire placed by state agents was interfering with its operations.
A few hours following the publication of Greg Abbott’s letter, the Department of Justice filed a complaint once morest Texas and its governor. He says in the text that Texas had to get permission before placing any structure on the Rio Grande and asks the court to order the Southern State to remove it.
“We must all recognize that there are laws and policies in place – both domestic and international – to ensure the safety of anyone working, living or traveling along the river. These laws cannot be ignored,” Austin federal prosecutor Jaime Esparza said in a statement.
(AFP)Show comments
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