Biden is trying to flip this against the Republicans now? What a joke.
President Biden’s DOJ has formally urged the Supreme Court to step in and order Texas to stop obstructing Border Patrol agents along a segment of the U.S.-Mexico border, marking the latest clash between Republican Governor Greg Abbott and the Biden administration on immigration enforcement. This development comes in the wake of Texas’s installation of fencing in Eagle Pass, where it assumed control of a 50-acre public park along the Rio Grande that served as a vital crossing point for migrants. Unlike a previous dispute over a year ago, this recent closure goes beyond, preventing federal agents from accessing a more significant and visible crossing location.
In this contested area, armed Texas National Guard members and their vehicles are hindering Border Patrol agents from reaching the river, with reports indicating the use of a military Humvee to block access. The Justice Department, in its court filing, stressed that this obstruction hampers effective monitoring of the border, as Border Patrol can no longer access or observe this stretch.
Governor Abbott defended Texas’s actions, asserting the state’s authority to control access to any geographic location within its borders. The closure of Shelby Park, part of Abbott’s broader border enforcement initiative called Operation Lone Star, adds to the ongoing legal disputes between the state and the federal government over various measures taken since 2023. These include the use of buoys in the international river, the installation of razor wire, and an upcoming law allowing police to arrest migrants.
Abbott faced criticism for stating that Texas has done everything to curb illegal crossings except shooting people. He clarified that he was distinguishing between legal and illegal actions, emphasizing that shooting people would be clearly illegal. Mexico’s foreign relations secretary denounced Abbott’s remarks, expressing concern that such rhetoric could incite violence and dehumanize migrants.
The emergency request to the Supreme Court underscores the significance of the situation, stating that Border Patrol agents no longer have access to a 2.5-mile stretch of the border in the region. The filing is part of the broader lawsuit over the state’s installation of concertina wire along approximately 30 miles near Eagle Pass.
The National Border Patrol Council, representing Border Patrol agents, commended Texas’s move, arguing that taking control of the area allows agents to focus on patrolling regions with high numbers of illegal aliens attempting to evade arrest. This latest conflict adds to the complex web of legal and policy disputes surrounding border enforcement efforts in Texas.