The state of Texas has had enough of the Biden administration’s passive handling of the border crisis, which is why Texas law enforcement started arresting illegal immigrants caught crossing the border Wednesday, causing tension with the federal government.
Texas law enforcement took over Shelby Park in Eagle Pass and blocked everyone, including federal Border Patrol agents from entering. For the last week, Texas has kept agents from entering Shelby Park and the surrounding area.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) said that the state will not allow Border Patrol agents “on that property anymore,” according to the Associated Press.
BREAKING: Texas DPS is now rounding up and arresting illegal aliens who are caught invading in Eagle Pass
This comes just one week after TX seized Shelby Park in Eagle Pass from federal authorities
The Biden DOJ is currently suing Texas in order to regain access & allow… pic.twitter.com/hvEXy35M4i
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) January 18, 2024
Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) spokesman Chris Olivarez posted pictures and videos on X Wednesday showing Texas troopers arresting illegal immigrants under Abbott’s Border Disaster Declaration. He wrote that they are arresting single men and women who cross the border.
Under the authority of Gov. @GregAbbott_TX’s Border Disaster Declaration, @TxDPS Troopers are arresting illegal immigrants for criminal trespass at #ShelbyPark in Eagle Pass. Troopers are enforcing criminal trespass on single adult men & women. The State of #Texas will maintain a… pic.twitter.com/EuRhYDNYLH
— Chris Olivarez (@LtChrisOlivarez) January 18, 2024
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) lawyer Jonathan Meyer warned Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton of legal action being taken against him and the state if they continued to seize Shelby Park, citing that the U.S. Constitution prohibits states from having authority to enforce immigration laws.
Paxton disagreed with Meyer, releasing a three-page letter on Wednesday stating that DHS had a “lack of on-the-ground understanding of what is happening in Shelby Park.”
“Because the facts and law side with Texas, the State will continue utilizing its constitutional authority to defend her territory, and I will continue defending those lawful efforts in court,” Paxton wrote.
“Rather than addressing Texas’s urgent requests for protection, President Biden has authorized DHS to send a threatening letter through its lawyers,” Paxton added. “But Texas has lawyers, too, and I will continue to stand up for this State’s constitutional powers of self-defense.”
The state’s actions are just a preview of what is to come. Starting in March, Abbott’s immigration law is set to take effect. The law will give all Texas law enforcement authority to arrest illegal immigrants who cross the border and allow judges to kick them out of the country. The U.S. Justice Department is looking to block the law from taking effect.
