Biden administration demands Texas stop blocking southern border
In a recent development, Texas Governor Greg Abbott asserted the state’s legal authority to control access to Shelby Park in Eagle Pass, Texas, intensifying an ongoing dispute with the Biden administration. The move, which involved shutting down the park and restricting Border Patrol access, has escalated tensions and prompted a cease-and-desist letter from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Governor Abbott, speaking on Friday morning, defended Texas’s legal authority over ingress and egress into any geographic location within the state. The focus of this authority, he mentioned, is currently being asserted concerning Shelby Park in Eagle Pass. The subsequent closure of the park, effectively expelling border patrol and restricting access to approximately 2.5 miles of the border, has become a flashpoint in the ongoing battle between the state and federal authorities.
Tragically, the consequences of this dispute became starkly evident when, mere hours later, two children and a woman lost their lives. The fatalities have heightened the intensity of the conflict, prompting DHS to issue a cease-and-desist letter to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. The letter contends that Texas’s actions, particularly the denial of access to the border, persist even in situations of imminent danger to life and safety.
The cease-and-desist letter issued by DHS demands that Texas immediately halt its efforts to block Border Patrol’s access in and around the Shelby Park area and remove any barriers restricting access to the U.S.-Mexico border. Failure to comply by the end of the day on January 17, 2024, would result in the matter being referred to the Department of Justice for potential legal action, considering all available options to restore Border Patrol’s access.
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Governor Abbott, however, remains adamant in blaming the Biden administration for the tragic deaths, asserting that the drownings occurred before Border Patrol requested access to the river and that the bodies were found in Mexico. In a tweet, Abbott placed responsibility on what he termed the “Biden’s Open Border magnet.” Simultaneously, the Texas Military Department (TMD) released a statement disputing claims that they prevented Border Patrol from saving lives, deeming such assertions as “wholly inaccurate.”
This incident has drawn parallels to a similar situation in Uvalde, where Texas officials claimed no responsibility, yet later investigations revealed their involvement. Democratic Congressman Henry Cuellar, alerted about the incident on Friday night, highlighted the crucial role of Border Patrol equipment in preventing such tragedies and emphasized the need for state and federal coordination to address border issues effectively.
Cuellar’s plea for collaboration echoes the sentiments of many calling for a unified approach to the challenges at the border. The cease-and-desist letter from DHS underscores the urgency of resolving the dispute and ensuring that access to critical areas is restored promptly.
As the clash between Texas and the federal government unfolds, questions remain about the path forward and the potential implications for border security and migrant safety. The tragic deaths underscore the human toll of the ongoing conflict, emphasizing the need for swift and collaborative action to prevent further loss of life along the U.S.-Mexico border. Efforts to reach Governor Abbott and Attorney General Paxton for their response to the cease-and-desist letter were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.
