Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott has responded to accusations made by Democrats that Texas allowed migrants attempting to cross the southern border into the US to drown in the Rio Grande. Governor Abbott emphasized that the accusations are inaccurate and stated that migrants claiming asylum must only enter through legal ports of entry. He further called on the Biden administration to put an end to their catch and release policy.
Federal officials and U.S. Representative Henry Cuellar, a Democrat from Texas, had claimed that the state was responsible for the deaths of three migrants, including a woman and two children, after alleging that the Texas Military Department had denied Border Patrol access to the area to help six distressed migrants. However, an investigation conducted by the Texas Military Department found the accusations to be “wholly inaccurate,” stating that the drownings had already occurred by the time Border Patrol requested access.
Responding to the investigation’s findings, Governor Abbott criticized Cuellar and others for blaming Texas without considering key facts. He took to social media to express his frustration, stating, “Turns out @RepCuellar (& some media) were so eager to point finger(sic) at Texas for drowning of migrants they forgot to get the facts. When BP requested access to river the drownings had already occurred & found in MX. The fact is the deaths are b/c of Biden’s Open Border magnet.”
The Texas Military Department clarified that its soldiers were in direct communication with Border Patrol when access to Shelby Park was requested. Soldiers informed Border Patrol that Mexican authorities had already recovered the bodies of two drowned migrants. The request for access was made to secure two additional migrants who were presumed to have traveled with the deceased, but had crossed to the boat ramp.
In response to the allegations against the Texas Military Department, the Department of Homeland Security sent a cease-and-desist letter to Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Sunday, ordering the state to stop denying Border Patrol agents access to Shelby Park.
The White House has accused Governor Abbott of attempting to politicize the border situation following Texas’ seizure of the park along the Rio Grande. However, Governor Abbott maintains that the responsibility for the drownings lies with the Biden administration’s open border policies.
As the debate surrounding immigration and border control continues, it remains crucial to accurately assess the facts and consider the complexities of the situation.
