Texas authorities have begun arresting immigrants who entered the US illegally across the Rio Grande in Eagle Pass, Texas.
State law enforcement has occupied the city’s Shelby Park and armed officers have blocked anyone from entering the space — including federal border patrol agents, leading to an escalating conflict.
Officials announced that they had begun arresting immigrants entering the park on Wednesday, in what was seen as a preview of Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s new state law that allows police to arrest and charge people suspected of entering the country illegally.
“Troopers are arresting illegal immigrants for criminal trespassing at Shelby Park in Eagle Pass,” wrote Texas Department of Public Safety Lt. Chris Olivarez at X.
“The military is enforcing criminal aggression against adult men & women. The State of Texas will maintain a proactive posture in curbing illegal border crossings between ports of entry.”
Figures on how many arrests have been made and whether arrested immigrants have been turned over to federal authorities for processing were not immediately available Thursday.
Abbott’s bill making illegal immigration a state crime was passed in December, but is not set to take effect until March. It is also expected to be challenged in court by the Biden administration.
Texas officials have begun arresting illegal immigrants in Eagle Pass. twitter @ LtChrisOlivarez
Department of Homeland Security officials have fought to gain access to Shelby Park in court, claiming Abbott’s move hinders their ability to patrol and provide emergency aid to immigrants in need.
“Because the border patrol can no longer access or view these border areas, Texas has effectively prevented the border patrol from monitoring the border to determine whether immigrants need the emergency assistance they are legally authorized to provide,” the previous motion said.
Things got tense last week when a mother and two children drowned while trying to swim across the Rio Grande.
Initial finger-pointing by Democratic congressman Henry Cuellar saw him blame the Texas Department of the Army for the deaths and accuse them of covering up federal Border Patrol agents.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has fenced off parks that draw migrants across the Rio Grande. REUTERS Federal officials are fighting to regain access to the area. twitter @ LtChrisOlivarez
However, it later transpired that the Mexican authorities had found a body on their side of the river and as soon as the alarm had been raised, Texas soldiers at Shelby Park were searching the river for any sign of immigrants in distress.
They also treated two migrants who crossed the border for hypothermia before turning them over to Border Patrol agents.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sent a strong objection to the federal filing demanding access to the park and asserting the state’s right to fence off the area.
His office argued that the park and surrounding areas are easily accessible to endangered migrants who make the perilous journey across the river, which has banks in the park.
“The loss of any human life in the Rio Grande is tragic — and preventable,” the filing said.
“That’s one reason Governor Abbott ordered the installation of the concertina wire at issue in this case: As the district court found, following an extensive presentation of evidence from all parties, “‘the wire served as a deterrent’ to those trying to cross the river and instead directed them to a safe and legal port of entry.
A judge will ultimately decide if Texas authorities can continue to maintain the fence.
The Del Rio sector, which includes the Eagle Pass lie, saw more than 81,000 migrants surrender themselves to border officials in October and November.
The following month saw a record number of migrant encounters at the southern border, with at least 302,000 people trying to enter the US.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
