Abbott blames Biden for illegal immigrants that drown in Rio Grande; Texas is using disaster declarations to install buoys and razor wire on the US-Mexico border; Abbott defies Biden DOJ order to remove floating barrier: ‘See you in court, Mr. President’

Abbott blames Biden for illegal immigrants that drown in Rio Grande:

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott blasted President Biden on Monday, telling him to either find a way to secure the border or get out of the way of states that want to do it themselves.

The Republican governor teed up a monumental legal fight, saying the Constitution grants him independent powers to deploy his military and resources to stop an “invasion.” And that’s what he said is taking place at the border.

And Mr. Abbott said Mr. Biden bears blame for growing numbers of migrants drowning in the Rio Grande as they try to reach the U.S. illegally, saying the president’s policies are enticing the migrants to attempt to make the dangerous crossing.

“Nobody drowns on a bridge,” the governor said. “It has been on your watch that migrants have suffered an unprecedented crisis of humanity.”

Mr. Abbott’s stern language is the latest in an escalating battle over how far his state can go to try to deter illegal crossings.

The current flashpoint is Texas’ deployment of buoys in the Rio Grande — a floating border wall — to try to deter migrants from swimming or rafting over near Eagle Pass, Texas.

The Justice Department late last week threatened to sue if the barrier isn’t taken down, calling it a safety risk that “presents humanitarian concerns.”

Mr. Abbott brushed aside that threat, saying he is acting under the Constitution’s powers allowing states to fend off an invasion if the feds won’t act.

The invasion theory, as it’s known, has never been fully tested in the courts, but it has been percolating in conservative circles for several years. It relies on Article I, Section 10, which says states cannot unilaterally wage war “unless actually invaded.” Texas’ constitution, meanwhile, grants the governor the power as commander-in-chief of state forces to “repel invasions.” —>READ MORE HERE

Texas is using disaster declarations to install buoys and razor wire on the US-Mexico border

Wrecking ball-sized buoys on the Rio Grande. Razor wire strung across private property without permission. Bulldozers changing the very terrain of America’s southern border.

For more than two years, Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott has escalated measures to keep migrants from entering the U.S., pushing legal boundaries with a go-it-alone bravado along the state’s 1,200-mile border with Mexico. Now blowback over the tactics is widening, including from within Texas.

A state trooper’s account of officers denying migrants water in 100-degree Fahrenheit temperatures and razor wire leaving asylum-seekers bloodied has prompted renewed criticism. The Mexican government, residents and the Biden administration are pushing back, with the U.S. Justice Department threatening to sue Texas unless steps are taken Monday to begin removing the floating barrier.

Abbott, who cruised to a third term in November while promising tougher border crackdowns, has used disaster declarations as the legal bedrock for some measures.

Critics call that a warped view.

“There are so many ways that what Texas is doing right now is just flagrantly illegal,” said David Donatti, an attorney for the Texas American Civil Liberties Union.

Abbott did not respond to requests for comment. He has repeatedly attacked President Joe Biden’s border policies, tweeting Friday that they “encourage migrants to risk their lives crossing illegally through the Rio Grande, instead of safely and legally over a bridge.”

The Biden administration said illegal border crossings have declined significantly since new immigration rules took effect in May.

Under the international bridge connecting Eagle Pass, Texas, with Piedras Negras, Mexico, protesters gathered at Shelby Park this month, chanting “save the river” and blowing a conch shell in a ceremony. A few yards away, crews unloaded neon-orange buoys from trailers parked by a boat ramp off the Rio Grande.

Jessie Fuentes stood with the environmental advocates, watching as state troopers restricted access to the water where he holds an annual kayak race. Shipping containers and layers of concertina wire lined the riverbank. —>READ MORE HERE

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Abbott defies Biden DOJ order to remove floating barrier: ‘See you in court, Mr. President’

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