Border Battle Escalates: Texas Blocks Federal Agents from Southern Border Control
A fierce dispute between the federal government and Texas over a 2.5-mile stretch of the southern border near Eagle Pass has resulted in Texas blocking federal border agents from accessing land they have been using to process migrants.
Late last year, Texas Governor Greg Abbott heavily criticized the federal government’s “open border” policy as our country faces a record-breaking number of migrants entering the country illegally across the southern border. Texas then took action, establishing razor-wire fencing along a part of its border to deter illegal migrants from crossing.
Following these actions, the Department of Justice (DOJ) took legal action, calling Texas’ actions “inhumane.” The DOJ demanded immediate removal of the barrier, and the Department of Homeland Security requested permission from the Supreme Court to allow border agents to cut the razor wire that was installed by Texas National Guard agents.
Now, Texas has blocked U.S. Border Patrol agents from patrolling the southern border near Eagle Pass entirely. Border patrol agents have been using a piece of public land, Shelby Park, to process and transport migrants who are entering the country illegally. But Texas has now seized control of this land and is preventing federal agents from accessing the area.
In a public statement, the Texas Military Department has confirmed that the Texas National Guard has taken control of Shelby Park.
“The Texas National Guard has maintained a presence with security points and temporary barrier in Shelby Park since 2021. The current posture is to prepare for future illegal immigrant surges and to restrict access to organizations that perpetuate illegal immigrant crossings in the park and greater Eagle Pass area,” the Texas Military Department stated.
According to a filing by the DOJ with the Supreme Court, witness testimony states that Texas is using armed Guardsmen and vehicles to prevent federal border patrol agents from accessing this part of the southern border. The DOJ further states that its ability to patrol that section of the border is “now limited to a narrow sliver from a single surveillance camera located outside of the newly fenced area.“
Over the last year, Governor Greg Abbott has been at the forefront of the migrant crisis, taking controversial but effective measures to combat illegal migration. Abbott has garnered attention for measures such as bussing illegal migrants to sanctuary cities like New York, for example. During this recent controversy, Abbott blamed President Biden’s “reckless open border policies” for his state’s need to take action.
“Texas is holding the line at our southern border with miles of additional razor wire and anti-climb barriers to deter and repel the record-high levels of illegal immigration invited by President Biden’s reckless open border policies. Instead of enforcing federal immigration laws, the Biden Administration allows unfettered access for Mexican cartels to smuggle people into our country,” said Renae Eze, spokesperson for the Office of Texas Governor Greg Abbott.
As the border battle intensifies, the nation watches closely, awaiting potential legal and policy outcomes.
