EAGLE PASS, Texas – Three migrants, including a woman and two children, tragically drowned in the Rio Grande on Saturday in Eagle Pass. This incident occurred just days after the US Border Patrol was denied access to miles of the US-Mexico border by Texas state authorities. The Border Patrol had attempted to respond to a group of six distressed migrants in the Rio Grande on Friday.
“This is a tragedy, and the State bears responsibility,” said Representative Henry Cuellar, a Democrat from Texas, on Twitter. Cuellar criticized the Texas Military Department soldiers for refusing access to the migrants, even in an emergency situation. He accused the state of negligence that led to the deaths of the three migrants.
The Texas Military Department stated that they were contacted by the Border Patrol about a “migrant distress situation” on Friday night. They conducted a search of the river but did not observe any distressed migrants. Later, Mexican authorities were seen responding to an incident on the Mexican side of the river bank. The Texas Military Department confirmed that the Mexican authorities did not require additional assistance.
The Department of Homeland Security expressed frustration with the actions of Texas officials, claiming that Border Patrol agents were physically barred from entering the area in response to a distress call from the Mexican government. According to the DHS spokesperson, Texas’s policies regarding immigration are considered cruel, dangerous, and inhumane, and the state’s disregard for federal authority poses serious risks.
The tensions between state and federal officials have been high as they clash over multiple policies implemented by Texas Governor Greg Abbott. These policies include the use of razor wire along the border and a new law that criminalizes entering Texas illegally. The Biden Administration has appealed to the US Supreme Court to intervene in the situation, citing the state’s obstruction of Border Patrol operations.
It is worth noting that Eagle Pass, once a focal point of the migrant crisis, has seen a significant drop in the number of migrant encounters. City officials report a decrease from thousands of apprehensions a few weeks ago to approximately 500 daily apprehensions this week.
The tragic drownings in Eagle Pass highlight the ongoing challenges and tensions surrounding immigration enforcement in Texas. Customs and Border Protection expressed their sadness over the incident and emphasized the essential role of the Border Patrol in addressing unlawful border crossings and providing humanitarian aid.
In summary, three migrants, including two children, drowned in the Rio Grande in Eagle Pass, Texas, after state authorities denied access to the US Border Patrol. The incident has sparked criticism and raised concerns about the state’s immigration policies and their impact on federal operations. This tragedy serves as a reminder of the complex and ongoing issues surrounding immigration enforcement along the US-Mexico border.