Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has not complied with the Federal deadline to re-open Shelby Park, in Eagle Pass. Shelby Park was where illegal migrants would come across the Rio Grande and into the state.
On January 10th, Governor Greg Abbott took aggressive measures trying to deter illegal migrants and having DPS officers take “full control” of the 47-acre park.
Abbott’s spokesperson, Renae Eze said, “Texas will continue to deploy Texas National Guard soldiers, DPS troopers, and more barriers, utilizing every tool and strategy to respond to President Biden’s ongoing border crises.”
In spite of the Cease and Desist letter received by the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) General Counsel Jonathan Meyer, Texas National Guard is continuing to put together more new fencing and barbed/razor wire. The letter is saying that the state of Texas needs to allow the Federal Government to have full access to that park and to remove any barriers and/or blockades.
Texas says the barbed wire prevents illegal migrants from crossing and doesn’t want Border Patrol to touch it. DPS Lt. Christopher Olivarez said, “We’re trying to prevent illegal border cross so we don’t see this loss of life. It’s not normal; it’s not humane for anyone to cross the river, including children, but it kind of contradicts what we’re trying to do. It really shows how the federal government is attacking Texas for trying to prevent that because what they want to do, they want to keep the border open.” Olivarez also said, “Instead of using their efforts and challenging Texas, they should redirect those efforts and try to prevent illegal border crossing so that we do not continue seeing these tragic events that took place along the border.”
Texas is now also arresting migrants who are illegally crossing under Governor Abbott’s emergency declaration. Up until last week, migrants were freely crossing the river into Shelby Park, often times, assisted and ushered in crossing by the U.S. and processed by Border Patrol.
Texas claimed that ‘Border Patrol was a magnate for illegal migrants and the cartel’ because they could see from the Mexican side of the border how once they crossed, they would be processed.
Border Patrol argues that being kicked out of the area reduced the ability for Texas and the Federal Government to respond together in emergencies to save lives.
With Texas’ non-compliance, it is expected that DHS will refer this case to the Department of Justice for “appropriate actions.” This will most likely result in a legal battle.
By - FZ
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