Highlights: Texas finds itself at the center of a very political standoff with the federal authorities. While the Supreme Court authorized the border guards to cut the barbed wire installed by the Texan authorities, the national guards of this state continue to install them on the banks of the Rio Grande, the border with Mexico. US President Joe Biden now has the option of expropriating Texas National Guardsmen from serving local authorities. But Governor Greg Abbott, on the same television channel, is preparing to continue to stand up to defend “the” border.

United States: tense standoff between Texas and federal authorities over the migration crisis

While the Supreme Court authorized the border guards to cut the barbed wire installed by the Texan authorities, the national guards of this state continue to install them on the banks of the Rio Grande, the border with Mexico. On the migration issue, Texas finds itself at the center of a very political standoff with the federal authorities.

Texas law enforcement and National Guard soldiers gathered at Shelby Park January 26, 2024 in Eagle Pass, Texas. Getty Images via AFP - MICHAEL GONZALEZ

By: RFI Follow

With our correspondent in Houston

Thomas Harms

According to elected officials, Texas is undergoing an invasion. And it all comes down to Eagle Pass, and more particularly around Shelby Park which overlooks the Rio Grande River. The authorities have requisitioned it and are preventing federal agents from accessing it. Because for Republican elected officials, the term invasion would give them all the constitutional rights to defend their State, and also allow them not to follow the decision of the Supreme Court.

Dan Patrick, Texas' number 2, explained this on Fox News. According to them, the system used by the Biden administration of letting migrants go into the country while awaiting their summons is a refusal to manage this “

invasion

”. “

We put barbed wire wherever we can. We're not going to stop. If they cut it, we'll replace it

. »

Texas National Guard troops load water equipment at Shelby Park on the U.S.-Mexico border in Eagle Pass, Texas, U.S., January 12, 2024. REUTERS - KAYLEE GREENLEE BEAL

US President Joe Biden now has the option of expropriating Texas National Guardsmen from serving local authorities. But Governor Greg Abbott, on the same television channel, is preparing to continue to stand up to defend “the” border. “

If Joe Biden requisitions our National Guards – which would be a serious political mistake – I am prepared to do everything to ensure that Texas continues to secure its border

.”

All Republican governors in the United States, except that of Vermont, but also Republican elected officials like Ted Cruz and Speaker Mike Johnson have publicly supported the Texan decision. On his social network, Donald Trump also accuses Joe Biden of letting this invasion take place and supports the Texan authorities.

It must be said that the migration theme is popular with the MAGA base of the Republican Party and the candidate and his supporters for the presidential election next November intend to play on it. Donald Trump has thus for the moment succeeded in blocking the vote on any law on immigration in Congress.

United States: tense standoff between Texas and federal authorities over the migration crisis

United States: tense standoff between Texas and federal authorities over the migration crisis

You may like

Trends 24h

Latest