In a letter Tuesday, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) urged Texas authorities to relinquish control of the southern border area, which is the center of an ongoing legal battle.
While the state insists it will not back down on its position, DHS urges the state to allow full Border Patrol access to Shelby Park in Eagle Pass, Texas, in accordance with the law, according to a copy of the letter obtained by the Daily Caller News. is requesting permission to do so. Foundation.supreme court control On Monday, the Biden administration announced that Texas officials could remove bellows of wire installed to deter illegal border crossings, but the next day the state began installing more border wire.
The Biden administration on January 12 accused Texas of preventing border officials from saving three migrants drowning in the Rio Grande, but the Department of Justice (DOJ) later denied this in a court filing. Federal authorities admitted that state authorities were not notified. Drownings had already occurred.
Law enforcement patrols the edge of Shelby Park in Eagle Pass on August 24, 2023 in Eagle Pass, Texas. The buoys were installed in the river, a popular crossing point for migrants, in July at the direction of conservative Texas Governor Greg Abbott. A large razor wire barrier was installed on the coast, prompting condemnation from both Washington and Mexico City. (Photo by SUZANNE CORDEIRO/AFP via Getty Images)
The Biden administration then sent a letter to Attorney General Ken Paxton on Jan. 14 saying the state needed to give federal authorities full access to the park by Jan. 17. according to On CNN. Paxton sent a letter to the Biden administration by Jan. 17 saying the state would not back out. (Related: Border Patrol Agents Quietly Support Texas' Move to Seize Border Area)
“As you know, yesterday the Supreme Court reversed an injunction that prohibited the department from cutting or moving the bellows wire that Texas had installed along its border, except in an emergency, and The Department of Homeland Security has also restored the department's right to sever or relocate the border in the Shelby Park area, which is currently blocked by the State of Texas, by the State of Texas. ,” Jonathan E. Meyer of the Department of Homeland Security wrote in a letter to Paxton.
“Although the state claims that Shelby Park is open to the public, we do not believe this statement to be accurate. To our knowledge, the State of Texas does not allow access to Shelby Park. All it has done is allow public access for monuments, media, and use of the golf course adjacent to Shelby Park, while U.S. Border Patrol access to the park remains restricted. . Please clarify the scope of access that the State of Texas will grant to the public,” Meyer wrote.
“Under Governor @GregAbbott_TX’s Operation Lone Star, Texas is currently working to deter illegal border crossings by leveraging effective border security measures such as reinforced bellows wire and anti-climb fences along the Rio Grande. “We plan to maintain a posture of 100%,” said Lt. Chris Olivarez of the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). statement on Twitter on Monday.
“The logical concern is why the federal government continues to impede Texas' ability to secure its borders, while allowing undocumented immigrants, including children, many to cross dangerous rivers. “We are condoning an exploitative, dangerous and inhumane method of allowing people to cross illegally.” They lost their lives. Texas is the only state using all strategies and resources to protect our sovereignty, combat criminal activity, and deter illegal immigration. #Texas will continue to hold the line,” Olivarez said.
A spokesperson for Paxton did not immediately respond to DCNF's request for comment.
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