After seizing control of Shelby Park, Texas National Guard units deployed by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott have prevented Border Patrol agents from entering the area.

Texas state officials this week abruptly blocked federal U.S. Border Patrol agents from entering and patrolling a public area in the border town of Eagle Pass where they typically first encounter migrants who cross the Rio Grande illegally, two U.S. officials told CBS News on Thursday.

After seizing control of Shelby Park in Eagle Pass, Texas National Guard units deployed by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott have prevented Border Patrol agents from entering the area, the federal officials said. Border Patrol has used the park in recent weeks to hold migrants in an outdoor staging area before they are transported for further processing, including last month, when illegal crossings soared to record levels.

Earlier Thursday, Texas state officials prevented Border Patrol boats from patrolling that area, one of the officials added, requesting anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the press.

  • Jaysyn
    4•6 months ago

    Earlier Thursday, Texas state officials prevented Border Patrol boats from patrolling that area, one of the officials added, requesting anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the press

    TBF, this could also be because they are about to take legal action.

    • @gAlienLifeform@lemmy.world
      1•6 months ago

      Maybe, but I doubt it. They could easily put out a statement like

      We are aware of allegations that officials with the Texas government interfered with the lawful duties of federal officers and are investigating them presently. Regardless of the particulars of this matter I can say that anyone interfering with federal agents, be they state government employees or anyone else, is a highly serious matter, and it will be handled accordingly. We will provide more information to the public about this as soon as we’re able, but at this time we have no further comments."

      or some other empty boilerplate. Maybe they didn’t have a lawyer or bureaucrat handy who could wordsmith that out when the reporter came calling, but I think it’s a lot more likely they wanted to pretend this whole thing never happened so they didn’t have to stand up to the Texas state government.