The U.S. Department of Justice has warned the state of Texas that the floating barrier in the Rio Grande, intended to stop migrants, violates federal law. Texas placed the barrier earlier this month.
“The State of Texas’ actions violate federal law, raise humanitarian concerns, pose serious risks to public safety and the environment, and may impede the performance of official duties of the federal government,” the prosecutor said in a letter addressed to top Texas officials.
According to the letter sent to Governor Gregg Abbott and Texas’ interim attorney general, the plastic buoys, which were placed in the river near the town of Eagle Pass earlier this month, are an illegal impediment. If Texas does not remove the large plastic buoys, legal action may follow.
In response to the Justice Department’s warning, Abbott tweeted Friday that the state has the right to police the border with Mexico. “We’ll see you in court,” the Texas governor said.
Republican Abbott, who blames Democratic President Joe Biden for the situation at the 3,145-kilometer border between the United States and Mexico, has taken several steps in recent years to stop migrants seeking to cross illegally. For example, he has deployed thousands of National Guard troops to guard the border. He has also regularly sent migrants by bus to other parts of the U.S. since last year, a move strongly condemned by human rights groups.
About the author: Wesley C Waldo
Wesley C Waldo, a promising writer who is preparing to publish his first novel in 2023. Travels a lot and collects the clues for a new book. He writes on social topics, sometimes describes an event or two.
