White House sues Texas to remove border barriers

The US Department of Justice is suing the state of Texas over the use of floating barriers on the Rio Grande. They are designed to keep migrants from crossing into Texas from Mexico, Gov. Greg Abbott said. CNN.

Photo: IStock

Justice Department seeks injunctive relief for Texas build additional barriers on the river, and asks the court to order the state to remove the existing barriers at its own expense. In a lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, the department alleges that Texas and Governor Abbott violated the Rivers and Harbors Appropriation Act by building a structure in U.S. waters without permission from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The lawsuit also alleges that the floating barriers "constitute an unauthorized obstruction to navigation in United States waters."

On the subject: The military and border guards in Texas were ordered to stop illegal immigrants by any means: push in the Rio Grande, do not give water

“We allege that Texas violated federal law by installing a barrier on the Rio Grande without obtaining the required federal permit,” said Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta. “This floating barrier poses a threat to shipping and public safety, as well as a humanitarian concern.” “In addition, the floating barrier has caused diplomatic protests from Mexico and could be detrimental to U.S. foreign policy.”

Abbott vs.

The US Department of Justice filed the lawsuit after Abbott said on July 24 that he would not remove the floating barriers from the Rio Grande, contrary to the Department's demand.

“Texas is making full use of its constitutional powers to overcome the crisis you have caused,” Abbott wrote in a letter to President Joe Biden following a Justice Department request last week to remove barriers.

He added, "Texas will see you in court, Mr. President."

The Department of Justice lawsuit over floating barriers is based on a federal statute that "prohibits the creation of any obstruction to navigation in United States waters and also prohibits the construction of any structure in such waters without permission from the United States Army Corps of Engineers."

Abbott stated on the evening of July 24 that the item was not working, but did not say why.

“The fact is they are using some weird law to try to stop us from continuing to deploy these buoys,” the governor said. “This is not based in any way on the law.”

On July 20, the Texas Department of Justice announced that it intends to sue the installation of floating barriers in the Rio Grande. The Department of Justice gave Texas a deadline of July 24 at 14:00 pm. Texas had to remove the floating border barriers or face trial.

The Republican governor rejected those demands. “I defended Texas’ sovereign interest in protecting its borders.” I did this in my capacity as Commander-in-Chief of our State Militia, pursuant to Article IV, § 7 of the Texas Constitution,” he said.

Like the article? Support ForumDaily!?

Later on July 24, Abbott was repeatedly criticized by White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre for what she called "dangerous and illegal" actions.

“We have actually seen the president's plan work, and what the governor is doing is dangerous and illegal,” Jean-Pierre told reporters on July 24. “It actually hurts the process.”

“Governor Abbott is acting in bad faith,” she said. “The only person wreaking havoc is Governor Abbott.” He continues to do political stunts in an inhumane manner.”

Texas has already faced legal action against the installation of an offshore floating barrier. The owner of a Texas canoeing and kayaking company filed a lawsuit earlier this month on the same day that Texas began installing buoys for the barrier. This lawsuit lists the state of Texas and Abbott, as well as the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas National Guard.

Tough containment measures

The showdown between Abbott and the federal government comes amid Texas crackdown on migrants trying to enter the US illegally. In recent months, Biden administration officials have become increasingly concerned about Abbott's measures, which have disrupted U.S. border operations in the region and put migrants at risk.

Last week, a spokesman for the Department of Homeland Security said Abbott's actions were "complicating our job." All this amid alarming reports of Texas troops pushing migrants back to Mexico, of injuries and even deaths at the border. This drew criticism from the White House and dozens of Democratic lawmakers.

The trial is not related to the ongoing assessment of mistreatment of migrants, which the Department of Justice has described as "disturbing reports."

The Inspector General of the Texas Department of Public Safety received several additional complaints from DPS officers at the border about the treatment of migrants attempting to enter the United States. Among the complaints are reports that Texan military personnel have been ordered to push back migrants in the Rio Grande and not give them water.

You may be interested in: top New York news, stories of our immigrants, and helpful tips about life in the Big Apple - read all this on ForumDaily New York.

Abbott's office denied that any orders were issued that "endanger the lives of those attempting to illegally cross the border."

Read also on ForumDaily:

Russia will open a university in Georgia: education there will be free

The Immigration Service has updated the form for companies that want to hire foreigners

Malaria and West Nile Virus: Mosquito-borne diseases on the rise in the US

Do you want more important and interesting news about life in the USA and immigration to America? — support us donate! Also subscribe to our page Facebook. Select the “Priority in display” option and read us first. Also, don't forget to subscribe to our РєР ° РЅР ° Р »РІ Telegram  and Instagram- there is a lot of interesting things there. And join thousands of readers ForumDaily New York — there you will find a lot of interesting and positive information about life in the metropolis.