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Despite pushback from the federal government, Texas is expanding its floating buoy barriers along the Rio Grande to deter illegal migrant crossings.
What’s the deal: During an interview on Fox News, Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced the expansion of floating buoy barriers in the Rio Grande as part of the state’s efforts to deter and stop illegal crossings. The buoys, large connected orange spheres, are designed to create a physical obstacle in the water, making it more difficult for individuals to swim or wade across the river. Workers have begun extending the initial 1,000-foot stretch near Eagle Pass, targeting areas with historically high crossing activity. These barriers are strategically placed in zones deemed vulnerable to illegal entry, serving as a proactive measure to prevent crossings and redirect migration flows away from Texas’s southern border.
Ongoing lawsuits: Despite the Governor’s move to expand the buoy barriers, the initiative has faced significant legal challenges from the Biden administration, which argues that the floating barriers violate the Rivers and Harbors Act by obstructing federally regulated waterways. A district court initially sided with the federal government, issuing an injunction to remove the barriers because they posed safety risks and violated federal law. However, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, known for its conservative leanings, overruled the injunction, allowing the buoys to remain while the broader lawsuit proceeds.
The case, which centers on the state’s authority versus federal jurisdiction over border enforcement and waterway management, is still pending trial, leaving the future of the buoy barriers uncertain.
What Abbott is saying: In a statement, Governor Abbott said, “Despite the Biden-Harris Administration’s attempts to shut down our border security efforts, the buoys are here to stay. We won’t back down from our mission to deter & repel illegal immigration.”
The Biden administration has not commented on the move by Texas.
