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Two years ago, Governor Greg Abbott of Texas launched a multibillion-dollar initiative aimed at deterring migrants crossing the Mexico-Texas border. Initially supported by many residents in the border city of Eagle Pass due to the influx of resources, the initiative’s popularity has started to decline.
The governor’s actions have included sending National Guard and state troopers to the border, installing barriers along the river, and implementing aggressive measures. However, recent reports of injuries and deaths near the river barriers have raised concerns among residents.
Some Eagle Pass residents now feel their town is under siege, with state troopers stationed along the riverbanks preventing crossings. The Justice Department has challenged the legality of the river barrier in federal court, arguing that it violates federal law by extending into Mexican territory. In response, the Texas government has moved some of the buoys closer to the U.S. side.
Texas Border Initiative Faces Legal and Public Scrutiny
The state Department of Public Safety claims these border control measures are intended to discourage dangerous river crossings and promote legal entry at ports of entry. Governor Abbott argues that his efforts protect against illegal drugs, human trafficking, and cartel violence, as well as ensuring safer migration.
Landowners who initially supported the initiative have grown frustrated as state troopers have taken over their land. Some migrants have suffered injuries from razor-wire barriers, causing concern among locals. While many acknowledge the need for border control, they feel the state’s actions have gone too far.
The mayor of Eagle Pass, Rolando Salinas Jr., initially supported the initiative but has become disillusioned with its aggressive tactics. He believes immigration decisions should be made at the federal level and that immigration reform is needed. Representative Joaquin Castro criticized Governor Abbott’s approach, stating that it interferes with federal jurisdiction and uses private citizens’ land.
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Source: CNN
