The Floating Barriers
These floating barriers had originally been placed to deter many immigrants from entering the U.S. illegally. However, there have been many claims against the government that this is completely unlawful, and these barriers should be removed. This claim was also recently backed up by a federal judge.
These barriers have been in place for a very long while, that way the border between Mexico and the United States can be clearly marked. However, due to the recent increase in migrants coming to the U.S. for a better life, there has been a lot of debate surrounding this floating barriers issue. It has been going on for a long while, to the point that a lawsuit was carried out in regards to this immigration issue.
Governor Greg Abbott had installed these barriers as a form of security when it comes to migrants entering the U.S. illegally. “It’s the latest effort by Abbott to deter migrants from crossing the border under the umbrella of Operation Lone Star, which he launched in March 2021 shortly after President Joe Biden took office,” according to The Texas Tribune. Therefore, as aforementioned, there were many people that were offended by this act. However, nothing was done about it, until recently.
Floating Barriers Are Being Removed Per Federal Order
A federal judge, after a long wait and lawsuit, has finally come about and declared that these floating barriers have to be removed immediately. When the judge ordered Texas to remove floating barriers in the Rio Grande and barred the state from building new or placing additional buoys in the river, it marked a victory for the Biden administration. There were several reasons that were provided by the Biden Administration as to why this was completely unlawful, and was something that needed to be addressed immediately. The judge understood that.
Texas Has Appealed The Judge’s Ruling
Texas has made it clear that they will not follow through with what the judge has said. They will do everything in their power to ensure that these barriers are kept. According to them, it can be a matter of national security. Therefore, they have appealed the judge’s decision, and they will take it to the Supreme Court if need be. However, until that decision is made, these floating barriers are going to stay in their designated spot.
Why Was This Unlawful?
The Biden Administration fought endlessly to ensure that these floating barriers were removed. In order to do so, they filed a lawsuit. They provided a list of reasons as to why their request should be granted.
“The Biden administration filed its lawsuit against the floating barriers in late July, arguing that Texas needed permission from the federal government to set up the buoys, and that the state had failed to acquire it. The administration also said the structures impeded Border Patrol agents from patrolling the border, endangered migrants and hurt U.S.-Mexico relations,” according to CBS News.
Sides To This Decision
There are many people that are on both sides of this particular issue. There are some people that are overjoyed, saying that they finally feel respected.
Additionally, they claim that this barrier hurt U.S. and Mexico Relations, therefore removing them would help continue a good relationship. However, there are people that are completely disagreeing with the judge. They say that this can be a matter of national security. People say that without this floating barrier, there will be a reduced amount of security. In turn, this can hurt Americans, and the nation as a whole.
Written by David Loran Jr
Sources:
CNN Politics: Federal judge orders Texas to remove floating barriers aimed at deterring migrants on Rio Grande
The Texas Tribune: Federal judge orders Texas to remove floating border barrier. Abbott immediately appeals the ruling.
CBS News: Judge orders Texas to remove floating border barriers, granting Biden administration request
Featured and Top Image Courtesy of Frank Heinz’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of Matt Johnson’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
