Texas began rolling out what is set to become a new floating barrier on the Rio Grande on Friday in the latest escalation of Republican Gov. Greg Abbott’s multibillion-dollar effort to secure the U.S. border with Mexico, which already has included bussing migrants to liberal states and authorizing the National Guard to make arrests.
Earlier iterations of Abbott’s border mission have included installing miles of razor wire at popular crossing points on the river and creating state checkpoints beyond federal stops to inspect incoming commercial traffic.
Immigrant advocates, including Sister Isabel Turcios, a nun who oversees a migrant shelter in Piedras Negras, Mexico, which sits just across the river from Eagle Pass, have remained vigilant about the effects of the new barrier on migration. Turcios said she met with the Texas Department of Public Safety in the days leading up to the arrival of the buoys and was told the floating barrier would be placed in deep waters to function as a warning to migrants to avoid the area.
Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steven McCraw addressed the danger that migrants may face when the buoys are deployed during the June press conference when Abbott spoke: “Anytime they get in that water, it’s a risk to the migrants. This is the deterrent from even coming in the water.” drowned near Eagle Pass as they attempted to cross the river.
On Friday morning, environmental advocates from Eagle Pass and Laredo, another Texas border city about 115 miles downriver, held a demonstration by the border that included a prayer for the river ahead of the barrier deployment.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Watch: Texas Police Marine Unit Arrests Suspected Migrant Smuggler in Rio GrandeTexas Highway Patrol troopers are using innovative techniques to reduce the migrant flow at one of the busiest border crossing spots in the nation.
Read more »
Texas prepares to deploy Rio Grande buoys in governor's latest effort to curb border crossingsTexas has started rolling out what is set to become a new floating barrier on the Rio Grande
Read more »
Texas prepares to deploy Rio Grande buoys in governor’s latest effort to curb border crossingsTexas has started rolling out what is set to become a new floating barrier on the Rio Grande.
Read more »
Texas prepares to deploy Rio Grande buoys in governor's latest effort to curb border crossingsTexas has started rolling out what is set to become a new floating barrier on the Rio Grande. The state's move on Friday is the latest escalation of Republican Gov.
Read more »
Texas prepares to deploy Rio Grande buoysEven before the huge, orange buoys were unloaded from the trailers that hauled them to the border city of Eagle Pass, there were concerns over this part of Abbott’s unprecedented challenge to the federal government’s authority over immigration enforcement.
Read more »