Construction crews have started the installation of a floating border barrier near Eagle Pass, Texas, in an effort to deter illegal border crossings and human smuggling activities.
Lt. Chris Olivarez, spokesperson for the Texas Department of Public Safety, shared videos on Twitter showcasing the construction crews setting up the floating buoys.
These buoys are strategically placed to “deter unlawful crossings & human smuggling,” “prevent the loss of life” and address the significant number of migrants crossing into the United States through this area.
According to Breitbart News, the chosen location for the barrier is where numerous migrants have been entering the United States illegally and where several individuals have tragically drowned recently.
In the span of 48 hours, four migrants lost their lives attempting to cross the Rio Grande. Texas DPS Tactical Marine Unit troopers, along with Florida Fish and Wildlife wardens, recovered the bodies.
The buoys arrived in Eagle Pass on Friday and were met with a small group of protestors, including local residents and individuals from Laredo, Texas, who opposed the barrier.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott ordered the installation of the barrier, and the Texas Legislature authorized the funds necessary for the project.
The extreme temperatures in Texas have not deterred migrants from crossing into the United States from Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico. Consequently, the installation of the floating buoys is the latest measure taken to secure the U.S.-Mexico border in response to the record-breaking number of migrants entering the United States since President Joe Biden assumed office.
Governor Abbott, along with other Republican leaders, has criticized President Biden for terminating the immigration policies implemented during the Trump administration. These policies allowed U.S. Customs and Border Protection to return illegal immigrants to Mexico, thus preventing them from entering the United States.
“Washington, D.C., has failed to do [its] job to secure the border. As a result, Texas has had to take unprecedented steps and [respond] to the crisis caused by the [Biden] administration on the border.” Abbott said.
The floating border barrier aims to enhance border security, discourage illegal crossings, and mitigate the risks associated with irregular migration. It represents a proactive response from Texas authorities to address the ongoing challenges along the southern border and protect the integrity of the nation’s immigration system.
