A federal judge temporarily barred the Biden administration from cutting barbed wire placed near the U.S.-Mexico border on Monday, in a victory for Texas’ attempt to stem the record flow of illegal immigrants into the Lone Star State.
Under the temporary restraining order issued by Del Rio U.S. District Judge Alia Moses, Border Patrol agents can only cut concertina wire to “provide or obtain emergency medical assistance.”
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, 60, filed the lawsuit last week in an attempt to stop the federal government from “dismantling, degrading, [or] alter” the miles of wire installed by state authorities along the Rio Grande near Eagle Pass.
“The federal government’s outrageous escalation in response to our lawsuit demonstrates Biden’s disturbing disregard for the State of Texas, for the citizens of the United States, and for all foundations of our country’s rule of law,” Paxton said in a statement.
Sharp concertina wire seen near the border in Eagle Pass, Texas.Getty Images
“By acting quickly and closely monitoring his actions, we were able to obtain a restraining order and I am confident that we will continue to prevail.”
Texas submitted a request for emergency aid on Oct. 24 in response to multiple instances of federal agents breaking down barriers along the border, according to Paxton’s office.
After filing the lawsuit, “the Biden Administration further escalated the destruction of the barrier, as officers were filmed using a forklift to repeatedly smash the fence into the ground,” his office alleged.
Federal agents insisted they had the authority to cut the wire, according to Ken Paxton’s office.REUTERS
The Department of Homeland Security insists that its agents “have a responsibility under federal law” to safeguard migrants.
“We do not comment on pending litigation,” a DHS spokesperson told The Post. “Broadly speaking, Border Patrol agents have the responsibility under federal law to detain those who have crossed into U.S. soil without authorization for processing, as well as to act when conditions exist that put our workforce at risk. or to migrants.”
“Of course, we will comply with the order issued by the Court this morning.”
DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas will testify before a congressional panel on Tuesday.REUTERS Ken Paxton was recently acquitted of an impeachment charge over an alleged bribery scheme.AP
Moses imposed the temporary restraining order until Nov. 13. A preliminary injunction hearing on the matter is scheduled for Nov. 7.
The order marks the latest twist in the long-running dispute between Texas and the Biden administration, which has been rankled by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott’s so-called Operation Lone Star initiative to bus migrants to blue states and cities, including New York.
Last month, Paxton was acquitted by the GOP-led Texas Senate after the Republican-led Texas House impeached him on allegations of accepting bribes from a political donor, obstruction of justice , make false statements and more.
President Biden has chosen Vice President Kamala Harris to be his border czar.Getty Images
The state attorney general has made a name for himself by pursuing high-profile cases against the Biden administration over conservative red meat issues such as illegal immigration.
During fiscal year 2023, which ended Sept. 30, the United States experienced more than 2.4 million encounters at the southern border, according to Customs and Border Protection.
The Biden administration has taken some steps, such as restarting deportation flights to Venezuela to help ease the crisis, but GOP critics argue those measures are woefully insufficient.
The White House recently released a supplemental request for $106 billion in aid to Ukraine and Israel, which included $14 billion for immigration, a key Republican request.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn