Eagle Pass, Texas – A tragic incident unfolded in Eagle Pass, Texas, on Friday night as a woman and two children lost their lives in the Rio Grande. According to federal officials, U.S. border agents were unable to respond to the distress call due to being blocked from entering the area by Texas National Guard troops. This obstruction was under the direction of Texas Governor Greg Abbott, resulting in a heartbreaking outcome.
The Department of Homeland Security released a statement expressing that Border Patrol agents were made aware of the migrants’ distress by the Mexican government. However, their attempts to enter the area were physically prohibited by Texas officials. The spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security cited, “In responding to a distress call from the Mexican government, Border Patrol agents were physically barred by Texas officials from entering the area.”
The devastating incident came to light through U.S. Representative Henry Cuellar, who shared the news of the woman and children’s deaths. Representative Cuellar stated that the three victims were part of a group of six migrants in distress in the river.
Mexican authorities were able to recover the bodies of three migrants and confirm their deaths. At this time, identities and exact ages remain unknown.
Border Patrol agents attempted to relay the information to Texas Military Department, Texas National Guard, and DPS Command Post by phone but were unsuccessful. As a result, Border Patrol agents personally contacted the Texas Military Department and the Texas National Guard at the Shelby Park Entrance Gate to inform them of the emergency situation.
The Texas Military Department disputed this narrative, claiming that they were aware of a distress report but could not find any distressed migrants in the river. They were later informed of an incident on the Mexican side of the river that did not require their assistance.
These tragic events took place during an ongoing court battle between the Department of Homeland Security and Texas over access to the border in Eagle Pass. The disagreement revolves around concertina wire barriers erected by the state. A lower court ruling in favor of Texas in December prevented federal agents from removing the barriers, prompting the Department of Homeland Security to file a recent request with the U.S. Supreme Court to prevent the state from blocking their access.
Furthermore, Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s actions have drawn criticism from White House spokesperson Angelo Fernandez Hernandez, who labeled them as political theater. Governor Abbott’s efforts seem to aim at shedding light on migrant crossings and criticizing what he perceives as an open border policy adopted by the Biden administration.
The Department of Homeland Security issued a statement denouncing Abbott’s policies as cruel and inhumane. They called for the state of Texas to stop interfering with the U.S. Border Patrol’s enforcement of immigration laws and their humanitarian efforts.
As the investigation into this tragic incident continues, the diverse viewpoints surrounding border control and immigration policies persist. The deaths of the woman and two children in the Rio Grande serve as a somber reminder of the challenges faced by migrants and the complex issues surrounding border security.