Texas Governor Greg Abbott refutes claims that the Texas Military Department hindered Border Patrol agents from rescuing a migrant family in downtown Eagle Pass, who tragically drowned in the Rio Grande. Governor Abbott denies the allegations, blaming the Biden administration’s open border policies as the cause of the migrants’ deaths.
The incident occurred on Friday evening when 33-year-old Virterma de la Sancha and her two children, aged ten and eight, along with several other migrants, attempted to cross the treacherous river. After a distress call, Mexican authorities retrieved the lifeless bodies of the mother and her children from the water. Border Patrol was contacted to assist in the rescue, but a conflict ensued between Texas National Guard members and Border Patrol agents over access to the park where the incident occurred.
According to a source within the Customs and Border Protection (CBP), there was a delay in gaining access to the park due to the migrant family already drowning and the need to communicate with state authorities.
The park had been seized by the state a day prior to the drownings, limiting access to the river. The CBP source explained that without a boat, navigating the concertina wire placed in the area to reach the migrants on foot was virtually impossible.
U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar blamed the state for denying access to the Border Patrol agents, holding them responsible for the tragedy. However, Governor Abbott swiftly responded, sharing a statement from the Texas Military Department that refuted the claims. The statement clarified that Border Patrol had already been informed of the migrants’ deaths by the time they requested access to the park.
As the blame game continues, a legal showdown between the state and federal governments looms. The Department of Homeland Security has issued a deadline for Texas to cease impeding Border Patrol operations, or they could face potential action from the United States Department of Justice.
The tragic incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Border Patrol agents and the political complexities surrounding immigration policies. The issue of border security remains a contentious point of debate, with both sides seeking to assign blame while migrants continue to face dangerous journeys in pursuit of a better life.
As the situation unfolds, it is crucial to focus on finding solutions that prioritize human lives and address the root causes of migration, rather than engaging in partisan finger-pointing.
