An immigrant woman and her two children drown while trying to cross the Rio Grande into Texas.
Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) announced Friday's tragic incident. press release and complained When federal agents arrived to search for the family, state authorities refused them access to the park near the river, according to reports. border notification.
“This is a tragedy and the state is responsible,” Cuellar said.
“Border Patrol was unable to provide assistance to the migrants or attempt to save them.”
Cuellar said the woman and children were caught in the current near Shelby Park in Eagle Pass, Texas, and that U.S. Border Patrol agents were unable to enter the park after Texas Department of Public Safety officers blocked them from entering the park earlier this week. He added that he could not help them.
He said around 9 p.m. Friday, Border Patrol agents learned that six migrants were lost in the river.
He said he tried to contact the Texas Department of Military Affairs, the Texas National Guard and other state authorities by phone, but could not be reached.
Cuellar said agents eventually met with members of the Texas Military and Texas National Guard at the entrance to Shelby Park and informed them of the border crosser's difficulties.
He said soldiers from the Texas Department of Military Affairs would not allow agents to enter the migrants, even in such an emergency, and would send soldiers to investigate.
But on Saturday, the bodies of the three migrants were recovered by Mexican authorities, lawmakers said.
The state Department of Justice on Friday asked the U.S. Supreme Court to order Texas to stop blocking access to the 50-acre park, according to reports. border report.
Asked about the incident, a spokesperson for Governor Greg Abbott said, “Texas is adding additional razor wire and anti-climb fencing to deter and repel the record levels of illegal immigration that Texas has attracted.'' “We are holding a line on our southern border for miles.” President Biden's reckless open border policy. ”
