Texas Governor and AG Celebrate Court Decision Allowing Floating River Barrier on Mexico Border
On Tuesday, in New Orleans, Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton celebrated the federal appeals court’s decision allowing the state to maintain a floating river barrier along the Mexico border. Both officials assert that this barrier, if allowed once the ongoing legal dispute is resolved, will help curb unwanted migration into the state.
Safeguarding Texas Borders
In a recent social media post, Gov. Abbott said, “The Federal Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit just ruled that Texas can KEEP these buoys in the water securing our border. (President) Biden tried to remove them. I fought to keep them in the water. That is exactly where they will stay. JUSTICE!!!!”
The Biden administration had earlier filed a lawsuit against Texas, arguing that the state needed federal permission to install the barriers. The administration contended that these barriers posed a threat to navigation, public safety, and U.S.-Mexico relations.
Ruling in Favor of Texas
In response to the administration’s lawsuit, Attorney General Paxton stated that the federal district court had “abused its discretion when it ordered Texas to remove the buoys floating in the Rio Grande that prevent aliens from attempting a dangerous river crossing to enter America illegally.”
He further declared victory for the state saying, “The buoys can remain in the river. I will continue to defend Texas’s right to protect its border from illegal immigration!”
Details Regarding the Federal Court’s Decision
The appeals court overturned a preliminary federal trial court injunction that had demanded the state to halt the work on the 1,000-foot barrier and relocate it to a state riverbank. Judge Don R. Willett, while justifying the court’s decision, stated, “We hold that the district court clearly erred in finding that the United States will likely prove that the barrier is in a navigable stretch of the Rio Grande. We cannot square the district court’s findings and conclusions with over a century’s worth of precedent.”
The decision was announced a week before the case is expected to return to the district court for a trial scheduled for Aug. 6 in Austin. The outcome of this trial may have important implications for the management of border security in Texas and nation-wide.
Conclusion
This federal court decision in Texas’s favor showcases the ongoing tension between states and the federal government regarding immigration and border control measures. It indicates an assertion of states’ rights in enforcing their policies, a narrative likely to reverberate across the nation and energize debates on border security and immigration policy.
Author: STAFF HERE OUTER BANKS WRITER
The OBX STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREOBX.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in the Outer Banks, Dare County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Outer Banks Seafood Festival, NC VIP Fishing Tournament, and NCBBA Red Drum Tournament. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce and Outer Banks Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in tourism, retail, and hospitality that power the local economy such as Kitty Hawk Kites, Outer Banks Mall, and Avon Fishing Pier. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, and HERERaleigh.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
