Three migrants drowned in the Rio Grande as they attempted to enter the U.S. from Mexico on Friday night after Texas military officers prevented federal border officials from aiding them, U.S. border officials and a member of Congress said. The deaths occurred amid an escalating dispute over immigration between Texas Governor Greg Abbott and the Biden administration, as a record number of migrants have crossed the border illegally since Biden took office. The incident highlights the increasing efforts by Texas to implement its own border controls, previously the responsibility of the federal government.
The tragic incident took place near Shelby Park in Eagle Pass, an area that is not a legal port of entry and has been fortified with concertina wire and fencing by the Texas National Guard. The federal government, in a filing to the U.S. Supreme Court, accused Texas of erecting these barriers to block federal Border Patrol agents from accessing the area.
Federal Border Patrol agents were alerted to the distressed migrants around 9 p.m. Central Time on Friday but were unable to reach Texas officials by telephone. They went in person to the Shelby Park entrance to seek assistance from the Texas Military Department (TMD) and the Texas National Guard. However, the Texas military officials refused to grant access to the agents, even in the event of an emergency, further exacerbating the situation.
Texas Governor Abbott’s policies regarding immigration have come under scrutiny, with critics calling them cruel, dangerous, and inhumane. Luis Miranda, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, condemned the state’s actions and emphasized the importance of federal authority over immigration enforcement.
The bodies of the woman and two children were recovered by Mexican authorities on Saturday, with their identities remaining undisclosed. U.S. Representative Henry Cuellar expressed his belief that the state of Texas bears responsibility for this tragedy.
The Texas Military Department offered a conflicting account, stating that they were contacted by Border Patrol for a migrant distress situation but found no distressed migrants during their search operations. They claimed to have reported their observations to the Border Patrol upon witnessing Mexican authorities respond to an incident on the other side of the river, indicating that no additional assistance was required.
The situation at the Texas border continues to be marked by tensions between state and federal authorities, leading to dire consequences for vulnerable migrants seeking a better life. As this dispute unfolds, it remains crucial to prioritize human lives and seek harmonious solutions that address immigration challenges effectively and compassionately.
