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Agence France-Presse

Texas Governor Greg Abbott defied the administration of US President Joe Biden as the Justice Department sued his state for trying to block the US-Mexican border with a floating barrier and razor wire along the Rio Grande river.
The department told the state late last week that the string of large orange buoys near Eagle Pass, Texas illegally obstruct river navigation and lack federal permissions.
“This floating barrier poses threats to navigation and public safety and presents humanitarian concerns,” said Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta.
But in a reply letter addressed to Biden Monday, Abbott said that he had the power to protect the “sovereign” interests of Texas by installing the buoys.

He accused Biden of not fulfilling his own responsibilities to halt the flow of migrants over the southern border with Mexico.
“If you truly care about human life, you must begin enforcing federal immigration laws,” Abbott wrote.
Uncertainty at US-Mexico border as Title 42 ends, new asylum rules begin
“By doing so, you can help me stop migrants from wagering their lives in the waters of the Rio Grande River,” he said.
“Texas will see you in court, Mr President,” he added.
Mexico has also complained about the barrier, saying it violates a water treaty and may encroach on Mexican territory.
The string of buoys was installed in the river at the popular migrant crossing point this month, along with large barriers of razor wire on the shore.

According to reports, some migrants have required rescue after being trapped in the razor wire.
A Biden administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Republicans are “playing political games” with immigration.
Republican hardliners have spent years whipping up fear over what they frequently call an invasion of illegal immigrants.
Donald Trump and his main rival for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, have put what they claim to be out-of-control border crossings at the center of their campaigns.
Mexico investigating migrant fire deaths as suspected homicide
However, the White House points out that the number of illegal crossings has plummeted in the wake of strict new asylum rules.
“Republican officials don’t want solutions. They want chaos,” the administration official said.
Hours after Abbot’s letter was released, the Justice Department filed suit in federal court in Austin, Texas.
It said the barrier violated the US Rivers and Harbours Act, which establishes protections for public waterways under the oversight of the Army Corps of Engineers.
The suit said Texas needed permission from the Army Corps of Engineers to place any structure or barrier in the Rio Grande.
The Justice Department asked the court to order Abbott to remove the barrier.
“We must all recognise that there are laws and policies in place - both domestic and international - to ensure the safety and security of everyone working, living and traveling along the river. These laws cannot be ignored,” said Jaime Esparza, the federal prosecutor in Austin.
In addition, a leaked US Customs and Border Protection memo said the razor wire placed by state agents interfered with its own border patrol operations.
Additional reporting by Reuters


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US immigration

US sues Texas over floating border barriers meant to stop migrants crossing from Mexico

Migrants who crossed the Rio Grande from Mexico walk past large buoys being deployed as a border barrier on the river in Eagle Pass, Texas. Photo: AP

Migrants stand in the Rio Grande behind concertina wire as they try to enter the US from Mexico. Photo: AP

The buoy barriers in Eagle Pass, Texas. Photo: AFP

Uncertainty at US-Mexico border as Title 42 ends, new asylum rules begin

A migrant gestures to Texas National Guards standing behind razor wire on the bank of the Rio Grande river, seen from Matamoros, Mexico, on Thursday. Photo: AP

Migrants near Border Gate 42 in El Paso, Texas on Thursday. Photo: Reuters

Migrants hoping to get their phones charged by aid workers near San Diego, California. Photo: Reuters

A migrant crosses the Rio Grande river with a baby in a suitcase, as seen from Matamoros, Mexico. Photo: AP

Mexico investigating migrant fire deaths as suspected homicide

Video surveillance footage appeared to show guards leaving as flames engulfed a cell with migrants locked inside. Photo: AFP

Migrants hold the fence bars of the immigration detention center where 39 migrants died during a fire in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. Photo: AFP

Mexico safer than US, president says after Americans kidnapped and killed by cartel

Mexico’s President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador speaks during his morning press conference at the National Palace in Mexico City on Monday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Members of the Tamaulipas Force Police transfer detainees to the prosecutor’s office in the Mexican city of Matamoros on March 10, after arrests in the connection with the kidnapping of four Americans and the murder of two of them. Photo: EPA-EFE

News

World

United States & Canada

Texas installs floating barriers in the Rio Grande river to try and block migrants crossing from Mexico
Biden administration sues state, saying the buoys are a humanitarian and environmental concern


Texas Governor Greg Abbott defied the Biden administration as the Justice Department sued his state for trying to block the US-Mexican border with a floating barrier and razor wire along the Rio Grande river.


US sues Texas over floating border barriers meant to stop migrants crossing from Mexico

Texas installs floating barriers in the Rio Grande river to try and block migrants crossing from Mexico Biden administration sues state, saying the buoys are a humanitarian and environmental concern

Texas installs floating barriers in the Rio Grande river to try and block migrants crossing from Mexico

Biden administration sues state, saying the buoys are a humanitarian and environmental concern