Biden officials threaten to sue Texas over floating border barriers

The Biden administration is threatening to sue the state of Texas for placing floating border barriers in the middle of the Rio Grande, the latest sign of escalating tensions with federal officials over Gov. Greg Abbott’s crackdown on migrants.Abbott ordered the installation of a 1,000-foot chain of orange buoys in the river this month at a busy area for illegal crossings near Eagle Pass, Tex.

The span of the border near Eagle Pass remains one of the busiest for illegal crossings despite the additional barriers. Immigrant advocates and human rights groups have raised concerns the floating buoys — which have a mesh barrier beneath the surface to block swimmers — will lead to even more drownings. Texas officials insist they will be a deterrent that reduces drownings by discouraging migrants from making the risky crossing attempt.

“The governor’s actions are cruel and putting both migrants and border agents in danger,” Hasan said. “The Department of Justice made clear that it is prepared to take the governor to court if he doesn’t immediately remove the unlawful structures in the Rio Grande.”The U.S. International Boundary Water Commission, which works with Mexican authorities to regulate activity and water use along the Rio Grande, has generally opposed the introduction of barriers into the river channel.

Matthew Nies, a spokesman for the Justice Department’s Environmental and Natural Resources Division, confirmed in an email Friday that the department had notified Texas “of our intent to pursue legal action related to unlawful construction of a floating barrier in the Rio Grande River.”The letter, addressed to Abbott and Angela Colmenero, the state’s interim attorney general, said the floating barriers run afoul of the Rivers and Harbors Act, which prohibits the obstruction of U.S. waterways.

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