Texas AG Ken Paxton rejects the Biden administration’s cease-and-desist letter, resisting compliance with the state’s control of Shelby Park, an immigration hotspot in Eagle Pass.
Paxton said Texas would keep using its constitutional power to defend its territory in spite of the administration’s request to stop and desist.
The dispute centers on the state’s National Guard occupying approximately 2½ miles of the border, hindering Border Patrol agents’ access. DHS General Counsel Jonathan Meyer’s letter directed Texas to stop impeding the Border Patrol’s operations in the area.
This ongoing conflict has serious consequences, as evidenced by the tragic drowning of a woman and two children in the Rio Grande. According to DHS officials, Texas officials physically barred Border Patrol agents from entering the area, leading to the heartbreaking incident.
The Texas Military Department contested the DHS statement, asserting that their personnel were aware of a distress report but had not observed any distressed migrants. Amidst the tragedy, the Biden administration criticized Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s immigration policies, labeling them as cruel, inhumane, and dangerous.
Texas Faces Consequences
The administration warned that it would bring the Justice Department into the situation if Texas persisted in refusing Border Patrol agents complete access to the disputed region, indicating a potential escalation of legal actions.
In response to accusations linking the state to the tragic deaths, Paxton condemned any suggestion that Texas was responsible, deeming it vile and completely inaccurate. The escalating tensions highlight the deepening divide between the federal government and Texas over border control strategies.
As the legal battle looms, the implications of Texas’ refusal to comply with federal directives reverberate beyond state lines.
The clash underscores the broader challenges faced by the Biden administration in enforcing immigration policies while navigating conflicting ideologies at the state level.
The tragic incident along the border serves as a poignant reminder of the human toll of these political and legal disputes.
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