The US Department of Justice notified the state of Texas late last week:
The huge floats near Eagle Pass in Texas were placed without federal permission. Buoys impede river navigation illegally. She said these floating barriers pose a threat to navigation as well as public safety on the Rio Grande River, and raise humanitarian concerns.
Texas governor responds to Biden
Following a complaint by the Department of Justice, the Texas governor responded with a letter addressed to Biden on Monday, in which he stressed that it was his authority to protect the “sovereign” interests of Texas by placing buoys.
Abbott wrote:
If you really care about human life, you should start applying federal immigration laws. By doing so, you can help me prevent immigrants from risking their lives in the waters of the Rio Grande. The State of Texas will face you in court, Mr. President. A series of buoys were installed in the river at the popular migrant crossing point this month, along with large barbed wire barriers on the shore.
There were reports that migrants got stuck in the barbed wire and asked to be rescued.
The Department of Justice is complaining about Abbott
Hours after Abbott’s letter was published, the Department of Justice filed a complaint in federal court in Austin, the capital of Texas.
The ministry considered the obstruction a breach of the US Rivers and Ports Act, which protects public waterways and places them under the supervision of the US Army Corps of Engineers. The text states that Texas needs permission from the US Army Corps of Engineers to place any structure or barrier on the Rio Grande. The Justice Department asked the court to order Abbott to remove the obstructions.
“We must all recognize that there are laws and policies in place, both domestically and internationally, to ensure the safety and security of all those who work, live and travel along the river. These laws cannot be ignored,” said Austin federal prosecutor Jaime Espara.
In addition, a leaked memo by US Customs and Border Protection indicated that barbed wire installed by state employees impeded Border Patrol operations.
Immigrants between Democrats and Republicans
For years, Republican hardliners have spread fear of what they have repeatedly described as an “invasion of irregular immigrants.”
A Biden administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Republicans were “playing political games” on immigration.
Former US President Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, his main rival for the Republican nomination for the 2024 presidential election, have put transit, which they say is out of control, at the center of their campaigns.
However, the White House notes that irregular crossings have declined after asylum regulations have been tightened.
“Republican officials don’t want solutions. They want chaos,” said the administration official.
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2023-07-25 04:13:48
