Biden needs to do his job.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott made an announcement on Friday regarding the implementation of a “marine barrier installation” in the Lone Star State as part of their efforts to address illegal immigration along the U.S.-Mexico border. This move has faced criticism from left-wing groups.
In a tweet, Governor Abbott stated, “Today, we begin the installation of a new marine barrier on the Rio Grande. The project is being overseen by Texas DPS in Eagle Pass. Stay tuned for more updates.”
According to Fox, last month, Abbott had initially unveiled the barrier, which consists of orange buoys intended to discourage migrants from crossing the Rio Grande. This initiative is part of Operation Lone Star, a multifaceted operation aimed at tackling the border crisis in the absence of effective leadership from the federal government, according to Republicans.
Abbott has faced controversy due to several actions, such as transporting migrants to “sanctuary” jurisdictions like New York City and Washington, D.C., as well as deploying razor wire and constructing a state-specific border wall after the Biden administration halted federal construction.
Texas officials argue that the new plan will dissuade individuals from attempting to cross the dangerous river. It is estimated that setting up the buoys will take approximately two weeks.
Steve McCraw, the director of the Texas Department of Public Safety, stated last month, “Entering that water poses a risk to migrants. This serves as a deterrent to prevent them from even entering the water.”
Left-wing groups have expressed opposition to this move. Environmental activists recently held a demonstration near the border, which included a prayer for the river, according to The Associated Press.
David Donatti, an attorney for the left-wing American Civil Liberties Union in Texas, criticized the development in an interview with CNN, stating, “This is just the latest in a series of actions by the state that benefits private contractors and fuels the governor’s manufactured crisis at the border. The floating buoys will not address the actual reasons why people are coming to the United States. They represent a stain on Texas’s moral conscience.”
The Washington Post reported that the barrier will include a webbing layer underneath it to prevent individuals from swimming beneath it. It is expected to span 1,000 feet in the area near Eagle Pass.
This deployment occurs during a relatively calmer period in border crossings compared to the record highs witnessed during the crisis, which has now entered its third year. The Biden administration has highlighted a significant decrease in encounters since the implementation of its new strategy after the end of Title 42 on May 11.
Nevertheless, there were still over 200,000 migrant encounters in May overall. The administration has called on Congress to provide additional funding and pass an immigration reform bill.
However, Republicans have expressed opposition to the inclusion of amnesty for millions of undocumented immigrants already in the U.S., contending that the Biden administration’s “catch-and-release” policies have contributed to the crisis.
WATCH:
New marine barrier installation on the Rio Grande begins today.
Texas DPS is overseeing the project in Eagle Pass.
More to come. pic.twitter.com/nHrTqUG7Fi
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) July 7, 2023