Texas has again rejected the Biden administration’s request for “full access” to the Shelby Park area of Eagle Pass amid an ongoing standoff between the federal government and the state.
The Department of Homeland Security this week sent a letter to Ken Paxton asking for “full access to the Shelby Park area, which is currently blocked by the State of Texas,” after Gov. Greg Abbott’s administration took control of the area earlier this month. Sent to the Attorney General.
DHS has repeatedly requested access to the area, and in response, Texas announced last week that it would allow Border Patrol agents to respond to emergencies. In response, DHS said it wants normal access to ports of entry, boat ramps and border fence entrances, as well as unrestricted access in emergencies.
Border Patrol has ‘no plans’ to remove razor wire installed by Texas amid feud with Biden administration
The letter also identifies some of the areas in which it claims it has acquired real estate interests and therefore should have access to them.
Texas officials installed razor wire at Shelby Park in Eagle Pass, defying the Biden administration’s order to end state takeovers of areas along the Rio Grande. (Matt Finn)
“As the Ministry owns the ownership of the area depicted on the attached map, we request that all obstructions there be removed immediately,” the letter said.
In response to the letter, Paxton dismissed the legal basis for the request. He disputes the administration’s claims that the federal government has rights to the territory it claims.
“Regarding the parcels identified in your map that are actually near the park, according to publicly available records, the United States claims in your latest letter,” he wrote in Friday’s letter. It suggests that he doesn’t even intend to own the thing.”
He went on to request that the agency provide maps and documentation showing areas the U.S. government claims to own and how authorities are blocking access to them. He also dismissed the administration’s argument that access to the area is necessary for border security.
“But you (understandably) understand the text of the law, which the agency continues to publicly ignore, which states that the Border Patrol is tasked with ‘patroling the border to prevent the illegal entry of aliens.’ (of course),” he said.
“As we have said before, our firm will continue to defend Texas’ efforts to secure our southern border from any efforts by the Biden administration to undermine the state’s constitutional right to self-defense. “We should advise them to join our efforts by doing their jobs and complying with the law,” he said.
Texas National Guard soldiers stand by as law enforcement near a boat launch into the Rio Grande River on January 26, 2024, at Shelby Park in Eagle Pass, Texas. ((Photo by Michael Gonzalez/Getty Images))
The letter comes as part of a multifaceted standoff between the two countries over how to deal with the ongoing border crisis.
The Supreme Court sided with the administration this week, granting an emergency appeal from a lower court to allow authorities to continue cutting the border established by Texas. However, the Border Patrol currently has “no plans” to remove the wires except in emergencies, a senior CBP official told Fox on Friday.
Abbott declares Texas has ‘right to defend itself’ against immigrant ‘invasion’ amid feud with Biden administration
The Biden administration is also suing over a Texas law that Mr. Abbott recently signed that allows state and local law enforcement to arrest illegal immigrants. Another legal battle is brewing over the state of Texas’ installation of buoys on the Rio Grande.
Abbott said Texas has the right to “defend itself” against federal inaction against an “invasion” of immigrants.
”[President Biden’s] This act represents an unprecedented invasion and we must defend,” Abbott said Thursday.
The Biden administration said Texas was obstructing the federal government’s enforcement of immigration laws.
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A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said this week that “immigration law enforcement is the responsibility of the federal government.” “Rather than helping reduce irregular migration, Texas is simply making it harder for front-line workers to do their jobs and enforce the consequences of the law. We can administer the law in a safe, humane and orderly manner.” ”
FOX News’ Griff Jenkins contributed to this report.
