Another set of floating obstacles sinks into the murky waters of the Rio Grande as the sun sets near the Texas-Mexico border. A video of the installation of new buoys, part of the state’s ongoing attempts to discourage unauthorized crossings into Texas, was made public by Governor Greg Abbott’s office. Texas has promised not to back down from this operation, which includes this installation, according to aFOX7 Austin report.
Governor Abbott persisted in putting more buoys into the Rio Grande in spite of the federal government’s litigation opposition, vowing not to let up at all. “We’re continuing our efforts,” Governor Abbott told Fox News in a statement. We will be adding extra buoys to the Rio Grande River and taking additional steps to prevent unauthorized entry into the State of Texas on Wednesday morning. These initiatives coincide with the escalating legal battle between Texas and the Biden Administration, as the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a district court decision that had favored the administration.
As seen in the governor’s video, the buoys are a network of connected orbs intended to physically block crossings close to Eagle Pass, an area known for human and drug smuggling. Illegal border crossings significantly decreased after an official string of these obstacles was initially installed in June 2023. “These have been so successful that not a single migrant has attempted to cross over them,” said Andrew Mahaleris, a spokesperson for Abbott, in an interview.
Texas and other border states are preparing for possible migrant surges as the country awaits the inauguration of President-elect Trump’s administration. As evidenced by his constant additions to the barriers currently in place, Governor Abbott appears to be holding onto whatever tools at his disposal to strengthen the state’s position against illegal entrance. Maheris affirmed, citing the Fifth Circuit Court’s ruling that permits Texas to continue releasing more buoys into the river. “Despite the Biden Administration fighting us every step of the way, courts have ruled that Texas has the right to deploy floating marine barriers,” he said.
Figures indicating a drop from 38,000 to 8,500 illegal crossings in Eagle Pass since last year support the claim that these measures have helped to reduce unauthorized crossings, even though the 1,000-foot barrier does not totally block off the approximately 1,200-mile border. These figures coincide with new limits on asylum seekers implemented by the Biden Administration to calm border fears before the presidential election. The U.S. Supreme Court is likely to have the last word on the future of these floating defenses, and the political and physical environments are still intricately entwined.
Note: Every piece of content is rigorously reviewed by our team of experienced writers and editors to ensure its accuracy. Our writers use credible sources and adhere to strict fact-checking protocols to verify all claims and data before publication. If an error is identified, we promptly correct it and strive for transparency in all updates, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!
Leave a Reply