Rio Grande River Barrier

July 26, 2023

In a recent legal development, the US Justice Department has taken legal action against the state of Texas and its Governor, Greg Abbott, over the installation of floating barriers in the Rio Grande River.

Understanding the Rio Grande River Barrier

The Rio Grande River, spanning an impressive 3,051 kilometers, serves as a natural border between the United States and Mexico, predominantly in Texas. In response to a significant influx of migrants attempting to cross the river into the US, Texas authorities embarked on a contentious initiative – installing floating barriers to prevent illegal crossings.

The Lawsuit and Allegations

The US Justice Department contends that Texas violated federal law by constructing structures in the Rio Grande River without proper authorization, which has led to obstruction in US waters. In response to this alleged violation, the Justice Department filed a lawsuit against the state, demanding the removal of the barriers at Texas’ expense.

Operation Lone Star

Governor Abbott’s immigration policy is embodied in Operation Lone Star, a joint operation aimed at securing the southern border between Texas and Mexico. This operation has seen the fortification of riverbanks with additional concertina wire and other stringent measures to deter illegal crossings.

Scrutiny and Condemnation

Abbott’s stringent actions under Operation Lone Star have invited public scrutiny and condemnation from the Biden administration. President Biden’s team maintains that the measures taken by Texas are unnecessary, citing a significant drop in the number of border crossings since introducing new asylum rules.

Concerns Raised by Immigration Advocates

While Texas claims the floating barriers are necessary to curb illegal immigration, immigration advocates remain skeptical. They argue that the barriers are unlikely to have a substantial impact on migration and may, in fact, make crossing the border even more dangerous for vulnerable migrants.

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