A resident of Eagle Pass, Texas, cautioned Governor Greg Abbott that his measures to strengthen the US-Mexico border might be excessive. This followed the arrival of groups advocating for stricter immigration laws in the border town.
Local Concerns Rise
Jessie Fuentes of Eagle Pass expressed in an Instagram video by Presente that “armed militias were inspired to invade our normally quiet, safe and peaceful border town” after Abbott’s press conference with fellow Republican governors in early February about the southern border.
A Legal Blow to Texas
The Supreme Court, in a landmark ruling last month, allowed U.S. Border Patrol agents to dismantle the razor wire set up by Texas Governor Greg Abbott as part of his border security initiative.
Supreme Court Sides with Biden
This decision, with a 5-4 vote, is a pivotal win for President Joe Biden amidst a heated dispute with Abbott over border policies. This dispute has been further strained following the recent drowning of three migrants in a Rio Grande area blocked by Texas state officials, prompting the Biden administration to intensify its plea for the Supreme Court’s intervention.
An Unexpected Alignment
In a notable alignment, Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Amy Coney Barrett, both conservatives, sided with the court’s liberal justices, while conservative Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch, and Brett Kavanaugh opposed.
Operation Lone Star
The controversy revolves around fencing installed along the Rio Grande on private properties by the Texas National Guard, a part of Operation Lone Star, initiated by Abbott in 2021 to curb illegal border crossings.
Border ‘Invasion’
Texas authorities assert their right to use razor wire, arguing that the federal government has not adequately addressed what they see as an “invasion” at the southern border.
2.4 Million Border Crossings
This stance follows a significant increase in border encounters, with over 2.4 million in the 2023 fiscal year, a jump from around 1.7 million in 2021, as reported by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Return Shelby Park
Eagle Pass citizen Jessie Fuentes voiced a strong request: “We, the citizens of Eagle Pass, do hereby request that you vacate Shelby Park and return it back to us, the citizens of Eagle Pass, who are the rightful owners of the property.”
Public Park or Political Stage?
He added, “It is an affront to the U.S. and us as taxpayers of this great state that you have seized our public park, that is controlled by everyone, to support an extreme, partisan political agenda that endangers our families.”
Military-Style Park
Jessie Fuentes expressed dismay at the transformation of the park into a “military-style staging area,” lamenting its use as a “backdrop for political theater.”
A Community’s Loss
He highlighted the impact on the community, noting that residents can no longer enjoy traditional activities like fishing, kayaking, flea markets, barbecues, quinceaneras, or even allow their children to play there.
A Fictional Narrative?
Fuentes also criticized Governor Abbott for overlooking the “voices of the very residents who live here,” accusing him of fabricating a narrative.
“You are creating fiction, and using our community’s resources to do it. You are telling a dangerous and misleading story about us, about the border, about our safe communities,” he asserted.
Call for Demilitarizing the Park
Nancy Treviño, director of power at Presente, the group responsible for releasing the video, shared with Newsweek her perspective on Governor Abbott’s actions. She believes Abbott should “respect the wishes of residents by swiftly demilitarizing Shelby Park,” pointing out the severe environmental consequences this has had on the Rio Grande and its wildlife.
Adhering to Court Orders
Treviño also emphasized the need for Abbott to adhere to the federal appeals court’s December order to remove the razor buoys from the Rio Grande and comply with the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision permitting federal Border Patrol agents to cut the razor wire along the river banks.
Convoy Concerns
The convoy that passed through Eagle Pass earlier in February has also raised alarms among local residents, especially following the arrest of a Tennessee man, who intended to “stir up the hornets’ nest” as reported by the Austin American-Statesman.
Armed Man
The man was reportedly found with AR-15 rifles, multiple other firearms, and a substantial amount of ammunition.
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