In a bold move to address the ongoing border crisis, the Texas National Guard has taken control of Shelby Park in Eagle Pass, Texas, a hotspot for illegal immigration. The park has now been blocked off with razor wire and fences, preventing Border Patrol from entering the area. This action is part of Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s emergency declaration, aimed at curbing the surge of illegal immigration into the state.
The Texas Military Department has maintained a presence in the park since 2021, implementing security points and temporary barriers. Their current posture is to prepare for future illegal immigrant surges and restrict access to organizations facilitating illegal crossings. The Border Patrol union has confirmed that agents are being blocked from entering the area by Texas soldiers. National Border Patrol Council Brandon Judd commended Governor Abbott for his actions, stating that they enhance Border Patrol operations and serve as a force multiplier.
This move marks the latest escalation in the ongoing feud between the state of Texas and the federal government over how to handle the record-setting crisis at the border. Governor Abbott had previously launched Operation Lone Star in 2021, which involved surging resources and law enforcement to the border. As part of this operation, he set up a buoy border barrier in the Rio Grande River, which prompted a lawsuit from the federal government that may soon be brought before the Supreme Court.
Furthermore, the Biden administration has sued Texas over a recently enacted anti-illegal immigration law that allows state and local law enforcement to arrest illegal immigrants. The administration argues that this interferes with federal authority and hampers immigration operations and proceedings, as well as damaging foreign relations. Texas, on the other hand, has sued the administration for attempting to cut and destroy razor wire set up by the state to prevent illegal crossings. The lawsuit is ongoing, with the administration currently blocked from cutting the wire.
While the federal government criticizes Governor Abbott’s policies and accuses him of endangering communities and demonizing immigrants, Abbott’s office dismisses these claims and instead blames the administration for fueling the crisis with “open border policies.” In response, Texas continues to deploy Texas National Guard soldiers, DPS troopers, and additional barriers to address the ongoing border crisis.
Abbott’s latest action in Shelby Park has garnered support from Texas conservatives, with Representative Chip Roy expressing full support for the governor’s efforts to secure the state’s border.
The situation at the US-Mexico border remains a critical issue that continues to strain resources and overwhelm both Texas and cities across the country. The actions taken by the Texas National Guard in seizing control of Shelby Park highlight the ongoing tensions between the state and federal government in addressing this crisis.
Louis Casiano and Casey Stegall contributed to this report. Adam Shaw is a politics reporter for Fox News Digital, primarily covering immigration and border security. For more updates from the 2024 campaign trail and exclusive interviews, subscribe to the politics newsletter.
