Homeland Security is calling Texas’ immigration policies “cruel” and “inhumane” after three migrants drowned while trying to cross the U.S. southern border after Texas military officials prevented Border Patrol agents from helping them on Friday.
The deaths come amid rising disputes between Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) and the federal government regarding immigration enforcement.
“Tragically, a woman and two children drowned in the Shelby Park area of Eagle Pass, which was commandeered by the State of Texas earlier this week,” a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security said in a statement.
“In responding to a distress call from the Mexican government, Border Patrol agents were physically barred by Texas officials from entering the area,” the spokesperson said.
“The Texas governor’s policies are cruel, dangerous, and inhumane, and Texas’s blatant disregard for federal authority over immigration poses serious risks,” they said.
Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) said “this is a tragedy, and the State bears responsibility,” per a statement Saturday on X.
The Texas Democrat had pointed out to Border Patrol personnel being “forced out of Shelby Park earlier this week by the Texas National Guard under order of Governor Abbott.”
Cuellar said that “Border Patrol attempted to contact the Texas Military Department, the Texas National Guard, and DPS Command Post by telephone to relay the information, but were unsuccessful.”
He noted that “Border Patrol agents then made physical contact with the Texas Military Department and the Texas National Guard at the Shelby Park Entrance Gate and verbally relayed the information.”
“However, Texas Military Department soldiers stated they would not grant access to the migrants — even in the event of an emergency — and that they would send a soldier to investigate the situation,” he said.
Cuellar said Mexican authorities recovered the bodies of the three migrants on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Abbott continues to spar with the federal government over immigration enforcement.
Texas has Escalated Measures to Keep Migrants from Entering the U.S.
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