The Biden administration is threatening to sue the state of Texas unless officials remove floating border barriers recently set up in the middle of the Rio Grande river to keep out illegal immigrants.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) told Texas Gov. Greg Abbott in a July 20 letter obtained by The Epoch Times that the agency intends to take legal action to force the dismantling of what it called the Lone Star state’s “unlawful” floating barrier at Eagle Pass, a major point of illegal border crossings.
“Texas’s unauthorized construction of the floating barrier is a prima facie violation of the Rivers and Harbors Act. This floating barrier poses a risk to navigation, as well as public safety, in the Rio Grande River, and it presents humanitarian concerns,” wrote Todd Kim, an assistant attorney general, and Jaime Esparza, the U.S. attorney for the Western District of Texas.
Mr. Abbott announced the installation of the floating barrier on Saturday, as part of his efforts to cut down the flow of people entering the United States illegally.
“New marine barrier installation on the Rio Grande begins today,” Mr. Abbott stated on Twitter, along with a 15-second video showing dozens of large spherical buoys being loaded into tractor-trailers.
“More to come,” the governor remarked, suggesting more future deployments of measures meant to curb illegal immigration flows.
‘Number One Public Enemy’
Mr. Abbott first unveiled the plan last month to use floating barriers to deter unlawful entry into the country.
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has been tasked with overseeing the deployment of a 1,000-foot floating barrier, which has been estimated to cost around $1 million.
DPS chief Steve McCraw, who called Mexican cartels the “number one public enemy,” said the barrier would dissuade people from making dangerous river crossings.
But the Justice Department has taken a dim view of the barrier, saying it threatens to impede federal law enforcement and poses “serious risks” to the environment and public safety.
‘We Will See You in Court’
In the letter, DOJ officials gave Texas an opportunity to hold talks with the Biden administration to prevent legal action.
By Tom Ozimek
