By: Annabelle Ma

The U.S. Department of Justice plans on suing Texas because of their placement of a floating barrier in the Rio Grande. Texas governor Greg Abbot intended this barrier to prevent migrants from Mexico from crossing the border into Texas.

On Thursday, the Justice Department sent Abbott a letter regarding the barrier.

According to that letter, which was published by the Washington Post, “The State of Texas’s actions violate federal law, raise humanitarian concerns, and may interfere with the federal government’s ability to carry out its official duties.” The barrier also violates the Rivers and Harbors Act.

In response to this situation, Abbott said on Twitter last Friday that Texas “has the sovereign authority to defend our border, under the U.S. Constitution and the Texas Constitution.”

Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, director of the American Immigration Council, counters Abbott’s statement on being able to defend their border. He says that the U.S. Constitution does not include anything about the authority to “carry out immigration enforcement at the border.” Reichlin-Melnick also added that the U.S. Customs and Border Protection considered buoys in 2020, but were declined because of the risk of drowning.

News of this lawsuit follows the Houston Chronicles report that troops at the Texas border failed to provide water to people in extreme heat conditions.This behavior corresponds with Abbott’s idea of intense border security efforts through his Operation Lone Star.

“This floating barrier poses a risk to navigation, as well as public safety, in the Rio Grande River,” a letter sent by a confidential source states. “Thus, we intend to seek appropriate legal remedies, which may include seeking injunctive relief requiring the removal of obstructions or other structure in the Rio Grande River.”

Assistant Atty. Gen. Todd Kim and U.S. Atty. For the Western District of Texas Jaime Esparza gave Abbott until July 24 to commit to removing the floating barrier and related structures.” If Abbott doesn’t obey, the U.S. plans on filing legal action.

Despite all these warnings, Abbott still doesn’t want to remove the floating barrier. He will continue to deploy strategies to protect Texans.

“We will see you in court, Mr. President,” said Abbott.

Source: https://www.latimes.com/delos/story/2023-07-21/immigration-border-asylum-doj-rio-grande-barrier-abbott