EAGLE PASS, Texas — Texas Governor Greg Abbott says the Texas Department of State Military Affairs refused Border Patrol agents access to a city park in the heart of downtown Eagle Pass to rescue an immigrant family who later drowned. He refutes the accusations. The governor called the claim “completely inaccurate.” On Sunday night, Abbott posted a rebuttal to the accusations on X (formerly Twitter), blaming the “Biden open border magnet” for the death of a migrant woman and her two children.
Breitbart Texas reported that 33-year-old Birtelma de la Sancha and her two children, ages 10 and 8, were dragged along the Rio Grande River along with several other migrants on Friday evening. I tried to cross the road and enter Eagle Pass. After struggling with the current, members of the group made an emergency call, prompting law enforcement and military soldiers to arrive in Mexico. Shortly after arriving, Mexican authorities pulled the bodies of a migrant mother and her two children from the Rio Grande.
A CBP official, who was not authorized to speak to the media, told Breitbart Texas that the Border Patrol has been contacted to assist in rescuing members of the group who may have reached the U.S. side of the river. Officials said shortly afterward a clash broke out over access to the park between the Texas National Guard and Border Patrol agents sent to begin the rescue effort.
The Border Patrol's request to enter the park came after a drowning of a migrant had already occurred and the body of a family member was pulled from the water by Mexican authorities, according to a timeline provided by the Texas Department of Military Affairs on Sunday. A CBP official confirmed the possible timeline to Breitbart, Texas, saying, “Most likely they were already drowning. There was a lot of movement trying to get state authorities access to the phone, and it took a while. I did.”
“We had to explain the situation to the security guards at the gate, and it was exhausting,” the official continued. “It's very likely, they were already drowning. It only takes a few minutes for them to sink in that current and disappear.”
The park was taken over by the state on Thursday, the day before the drowning. Officials told Breitbart Texas that the move would further restrict access to the river, which was already difficult due to the installation of bellows wires, adding, “If there are no boats available to carry out a rescue, It is difficult to pass floating ships through wires.” Using the device on foot is nearly impossible, and has been impossible for some time. ”
On Saturday, U.S. Congressman Dr. Henry Cuellar issued (TX-28). statement He blames the state for the deaths, stating in part:
Border Patrol learned on Friday, January 12, 2024, at approximately 9:00 p.m., that a group of six migrants were attempting to cross the Rio Grande River. Border Patrol attempted to contact the Texas Department of Military Affairs, Texas National Guard, and DPS command post by phone to relay information, but were unsuccessful. Border Patrol agents then made physical contact with and verbally communicated information to the Texas Military and Texas National Guard at the Shelby Park entrance gate. But soldiers from the Texas National Guard said they would not allow the migrants to enter even if there was an emergency and would send troops to investigate the situation.
In the early morning hours of today, Saturday, January 13, 2024, the bodies of three migrants were recovered by Mexican authorities. Border Patrol agents were forcibly removed from Shelby Park by the Texas National Guard on orders from Governor Abbott earlier this week. In this situation, the Texas Department of State Military Affairs and the Texas National Guard did not allow Border Patrol personnel access to rescue the migrants. This is a tragedy and the state is responsible.
Abbott immediately answered X published a statement from the Texas Department of Military Affairs disputing the allegations. The governor's statement reads:
The Texas Department of State Military Affairs continues to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the drowning of a migrant in the Rio Grande River. Claims that Border Patrol is requesting access to rescue migrants in distress are inaccurate. The claim that TMD prevented Border Patrol from saving the lives of drowning migrants is completely inaccurate.
At the time the Border Patrol requested access, the drowning had occurred and Mexican authorities had recovered the body, and the Border Patrol communicated these facts to TMD personnel on the scene. On the night of January 12, TMD soldiers were in direct contact with the Border Patrol when they requested access to Shelby Park.
The soldiers confirmed that when the Border Patrol requested access to the park, Mexican authorities said they had already recovered the bodies of two drowned migrants. Border Patrol specifically requested access to the park to secure two additional migrants who were presumed to have crossed to the boat launch but traveled with the deceased.
Two immigrants were arrested by TMD, one was turned over to DPS, and the other was transported to EMS in response to initial hypothermia. In addition, TMD continued to deploy lights, night vision goggles, and thermals to prevent further migrants from entering the river or becoming lost.
A legal showdown between the two sides is likely soon, as the state and federal governments continue to exchange accusations over the deaths of a group of immigrant families. On Sunday, Department of Homeland Security General Counsel Jonathan Meyer sent a letter to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, noting the drownings and the Border Patrol's statutory right to enter and patrol land within 25 miles of the border without a warrant. claimed to be obstructed. Meyer has until Jan. 17 to urge Texas to cease and desist from interfering with Border Patrol agents at the park, or face action by the U.S. Department of Justice. A deadline has been set.
Randy Clark He is a 32-year veteran of the U.S. Border Patrol. Prior to his retirement, he served as Division Chief of Law Enforcement Operations, directing operations for nine Border Patrol stations within the Del Rio, Texas area. Follow him on Twitter @RandyClarkBBTX.
