Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has criticized the Biden administration’s handling of the surge of asylum seekers at the southern border, specifically accusing the White House of spreading a fabricated narrative about migrants who drowned. The White House, however, stands by its prior statements regarding the drowning of three migrants in the Rio Grande, which it initially attributed to a blockade imposed by Texas. This back-and-forth has escalated tensions between the two sides, with Texas labeling the narrative as “vile” and “completely inaccurate.” The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the White House have both criticized Texas for their actions and policies related to the border.
The incident in question occurred in the Shelby Park area of Eagle Pass, where three migrants, including two children, drowned. The Texas government had seized control of the area, and according to DHS, they refused to grant Border Patrol access, preventing them from responding to a distress call from the Mexican government. The White House issued a statement condemning Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s policies as “cruel, dangerous, and inhumane,” and emphasized the need for Border Patrol to have access to enforce immigration laws.
However, the Texas Military Department conducted an investigation and disputed the White House’s statements, calling them “wholly inaccurate.” They claim that Border Patrol was aware of the drownings after Mexican authorities had recovered the bodies and notified them. In a court filing related to ongoing litigation, the Department of Justice (DOJ) supported Texas’ version of events, acknowledging that Mexican officials had informed Border Patrol about the drownings. The filing also highlighted the two additional migrants in distress on the U.S. side of the border who were later rescued by Mexican officials. The DOJ argued that if Border Patrol had access to the area, they might have been able to take steps to assist in the rescue.
This latest development has sparked further accusations and denials between Texas and the Biden administration. The White House and DHS maintain that Texas is interfering with federal authority over immigration and should stop obstructing Border Patrol’s enforcement of U.S. law. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has accused the administration of promoting a debunked narrative and has called for evidence to support the claim that the migrants reached the Texas shore. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has also criticized President Biden, blaming his policies for creating a “perverse incentive” for migrants to make dangerous illegal crossings.
In conclusion, the dispute between Texas and the Biden administration over the handling of the migrant drownings at the border continues to escalate. Both sides have presented conflicting accounts of the incident, with Texas accusing the White House of spreading false information and the White House maintaining that Texas obstructed Border Patrol’s response. This disagreement highlights the ongoing challenges and controversies surrounding immigration and border security in the United States.
