A tragic incident occurred near the southern U.S. border on Friday, where a woman and two children drowned in the Rio Grande while attempting to enter the country. This occurred in a section of the border where Texas National Guard soldiers have prevented federal Border Patrol agents from processing and rescuing migrants.
According to federal officials and Texas congressman Henry Cuellar, National Guard soldiers deployed by Governor Greg Abbott did not allow Border Patrol agents to attempt to rescue the migrants. This comes amidst an escalating political and legal feud between Abbott and President Biden over U.S. border policy.
Cuellar stated that Border Patrol identified six distressed migrants near Shelby Park, a public area that was seized by Texas National Guard soldiers earlier in the week. Despite failed attempts to contact Texas state officials, Border Patrol agents were denied entry to render aid to the migrants.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) also confirmed that Texas officials obstructed Border Patrol’s rescue attempts. The White House criticized the situation, stating that Governor Abbott’s actions were “cruel, inhumane, and dangerous.”
The Texas National Guard’s takeover of Shelby Park has raised concerns about the state’s interference with federal immigration authority and its potential to prevent Border Patrol from offering aid to migrants in distress.
Historically, tensions over border control have long been a contentious issue between the state of Texas and the federal government. Despite calls from DHS to relent, Texas has continued to maintain control of the area, prompting fears of further tragic incidents at the border.
As the situation continues to unfold, it is crucial for state and federal authorities to work together to ensure the safety and well-being of migrants in distress at the U.S.-Mexico border.
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