US Department of Justice: Border fences in Texas are illegal

The US Department of Justice is suing Texas for installing floating barriers in the Rio Grande, the river that forms the border with Mexico. Border barriers prevent migrants from trying to enter the United States from Mexico, according to a Justice Department letter to senior Texas officials.

“The actions of the State of Texas violate federal law, raise humanitarian concerns, pose serious risks to public safety and the environment, and may interfere with the performance of official duties of the federal government,” the prosecution writes.

“unlawful obstruction”

In response to the Justice Department’s warning, Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott tweeted on Friday that the state had the right to guard the border with Mexico. According to the letter sent to Abbott and the acting Texas attorney general, the large plastic buoys placed in the river near the town of Eagle Pass earlier this month constitute an illegal obstruction.

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Abbott has taken steps in recent years to prevent migrants from crossing the border illegally. For example, it has deployed thousands of National Guard soldiers and bussed migrants to cities in the northern United States.