Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has denied allegations from Democrats blaming his state for the deaths of three migrants. He also accused his Democratic opponents of politicizing the situation while deliberately ignoring the facts.
On January 12, 2024, the Rio Grande took the lives of a woman and her two children as they made to cross over into Texas. After the deaths, the federal government fired the first shot by blaming Abbott’s government for the accident.
Luis Miranda, spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, explained why Texas was responsible for the loss of life. In a statement, Miranda accused Texas military officials of stopping a rescue team from the border patrol from reaching the area.
“The State of Texas should stop interfering with the U.S. Border Patrol’s enforcement of U.S. law,”” Miranda said. He went further to describe Texas border policies as “cruel, dangerous, and inhumane.” He also emphasized that Texas’s actions to undermine federal authority over immigration will put lives in danger.
Also Read: Biden Administration Sends Texas Cease-and-Desist on Border Access After Migrants’ Death
Under the Biden administration, Texas has repeatedly fought for control over the southern border. The state government has locked horns with the federal government over its border policies, which it believes are too lax and dangerous.
There has been a massive inflow of illegal immigrants into Texas since Biden took over controls at the White House in 2021. Consequently, the state has suffered an immense drain on taxpayers’ funds catering to uninvited guests.
Many have also linked the spread of harmful drugs, such as fentanyl, to illegal migration. As a result, they say, the crime rate has increased.
POLL—Should the U.S. Government Create a Path to Citizenship for Undocumented Immigrants?
This drowning accident has offered yet another source of escalation in the hostilities between the state and federal governments. The battle has quickly moved to its most common front, which is political.
Apart from federal authorities, Democrat voices have joined the chorus of accusations against Texas and its governor. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, accused the Texas Military Department (TMD) of denying access to the border military patrol. “This is a tragedy, and the state bears responsibility,” said Cueller.
But the Texas Military Department has debunked the allegation, calling it “wholly inaccurate.” The department explained that the drownings had happened before federal officials showed up.
“At the time that Border Patrol requested access, the drownings had occurred, Mexican authorities were recovering the bodies, and Border Patrol expressed these facts to the TMD personnel on site.”
Also Read: Texas Takes Border Battle Against Biden Up a Notch, Denies Federal Authorities Entry
Gov. Abbott’s response, which he posted on X on January 15, expressed disappointment over Rep. Cueller’s comments. “Turns out @RepCuellar (& some media) were so eager to point finger at Texas for drowning of migrants they forgot to get the facts,” he began.
His next sentence reiterated the explanation from the TMD. “When B.P. requested access to the river, the drownings had already occurred & found in MX.”
He ended his post by blaming the federal government and Biden’s immigration policies for the deaths. “The fact is the deaths are b/c of Biden’s Open Border magnet.”
Greg Abbott has recently secured a lower court order stopping the Biden administration from cutting down Texas razor wire fences to let immigrants into the country.
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