Texas is taking a decisive stand by refusing to comply with the Biden administration’s cease-and-desist letter regarding border access. The state’s actions have impeded U.S. Border Patrol agents from accessing a crucial part of the border with Mexico.
In a letter addressed to the Department of Homeland Security, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton unequivocally rejected the Biden administration’s request for the state to cease and desist its takeover of Shelby Park. This area has become an epicenter of illegal immigration along the southwest border in Eagle Pass.
Paxton stated, “Because the facts and law side with Texas, the state will continue utilizing its constitutional authority to defend her territory, and I will continue defending those lawful efforts in court.”
The Department of Homeland Security has yet to respond to Texas’ refusal. Previously, the department’s General Counsel, Jonathan Meyer, directly ordered the state to stop blocking U.S. Border Patrol’s full access to approximately 2½ miles of the U.S.-Mexico border that is currently occupied by the Texas National Guard.
This latest border dispute is fueled by an incident where a woman and two children tragically drowned in the Rio Grande. Border Patrol agents were allegedly prevented from entering the area by Texas officials, following orders from Republican Governor Greg Abbott. The Texas Military Department has disputed this claim, asserting that their personnel had not detected any distressed migrants despite being aware of a distress report.
In response to the drownings, a White House spokesperson criticized Governor Abbott’s immigration policies, stating that his “political stunts are cruel, inhumane, and dangerous.” However, in his letter, Paxton strongly refuted any suggestion that Texas was responsible for the deaths, deeming it “vile and completely inaccurate.”
The Biden administration has warned that if Texas continues to deny Border Patrol agents full access to the area, the matter may be referred to the Justice Department.
For more information, you can visit F5mag.com.