A recent ruling by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has bolstered Texas’ efforts to secure its border, affirming the state’s right to maintain razor wire installations along the Rio Grande in Eagle Pass. The court ruled that Texas was likely to succeed in its argument that cutting the concertina wire would violate state trespassing laws.
This decision marks a significant victory for Texas, which has been actively defending its right to control border security measures despite opposition from the Biden Administration.
The Biden Administration had contended that Texas’ border barrier interfered with the federal government’s duties regarding immigration law enforcement. However, the court disagreed, stating that Texas was not attempting to regulate Border Patrol but was merely seeking to protect its own property.
Governor Greg Abbott hailed the decision, emphasizing that it reinforced Texas’ right to secure its border against illegal crossings.
This ruling is part of a broader pattern of legal victories for Texas in its ongoing battle with the federal government over border security.
Earlier this year, Texas also won a court battle over a floating barrier in the Rio Grande, further cementing the state’s stance on border protection.
These developments follow President Biden’s 2021 halt on the expansion of the Border Wall, which led to lawsuits from Texas, claiming that the federal government’s inaction imposed additional costs and risks on the state.
Texas is now moving forward with expanding its own border barriers using state funds. The state’s actions have garnered praise from former Trump Administration officials like Tom Homan, who recently praised Texas’ Operation Lone Star as a model for other states facing similar border challenges.
The ongoing legal and political battles surrounding border security continue to shape the discourse on U.S. immigration policy.