Texas officials say accusations that Border Patrol agents drowned three migrants after denying them access to a riverside park are “totally inaccurate.”
Texas troops searched the Rio Grande and claimed that by the time federal agents arrived, there were already deaths.
“At the time Border Patrol requested access, a drowning had occurred and Mexican authorities were in recovery of the body, and Border Patrol communicated these facts to TMD personnel on scene,” the Texas Department of Military Affairs said Sunday. said in a statement.
The controversy was sparked after a woman and two children drowned Friday night while trying to cross the Rio Grande near Shelby Park in Eagle Pass, Texas, after Gov. Greg Abbott told TMD last week to block migrants from crossing. He ordered the TMD to strengthen its defenses.
Barbed wire surrounds the park, which extends to the banks of the Rio Grande River, which borders the park.
Federal Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials claim they were denied unauthorized access.
TMD said it was notified of a “migrant distress situation” by CBP around 9 p.m. on Jan. 12 and began searching the river. About 45 minutes later, Mexican authorities were seen responding to the incident on the riverbank, they said.
“At no time did TMD security personnel along the river observe any migrants in distress, nor did TMD turn away any illegal migrants from the United States during this period,” the ministry said.
After the drowning incident, Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) issued a press release stating that CBP officers learned of a family in distress near Shelby Park and were unable to reach TMD who alerted them by phone. , claimed that he had no choice but to go to the park and make the request. Please visit privately.
Cuellar claimed that TMD told CBP officers that they would not allow migrants to enter, “even in the event of an emergency,” and instead sent a lone trooper to inspect the river.
“Border Patrol agents were forcibly removed from Shelby Park by the Texas National Guard earlier this week on the orders of Governor Abbott,” Cuellar said. “This is a tragedy and the state is responsible.”
TMD disagrees with Cuellar's assessment, saying CBP is not requesting access to rescue the drowning migrants, but rather to arrest the two party members who survived the crossing. insisted.
“Border Patrol requested access to the park specifically to secure two additional migrants who were presumed to have crossed to the boat launch but traveled with the deceased,” TMD said in a statement. It noted that Border Patrol agents picked up these migrants and provided medical treatment. Hypothermia.
After recovering the surviving migrants, TMD said it scanned the river with lights and night vision goggles to ensure no one remained in the river.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott criticized Mr. Cuéllar for his political stature and accused him of being “so eager to point fingers.” [sic] In Texas, they were guilty of drowning immigrants and they forgot to know the facts.” Sunday post With X.
“The fact is that the deaths are a result of Biden’s open border magnet,” the governor wrote.
The Texas Department of State Military Affairs did not respond to The Post's request for comment. Customs and Border Protection does not provide its own version of events.
A CBP spokesperson told the Texas Tribune: “We are responding to actions that interfere with the U.S. Border Patrol's mission to apprehend individuals who have entered the United States illegally and provide humanitarian response to individuals in need. “We remain gravely concerned.” I said it on Saturday. ”
The Biden administration on Sunday requested the Texas military stop allowing federal personnel into Shelby Park in a cease-and-desist letter from the Department of Homeland Security.
The letter states that denying federal agents access to Shelby Park “impeded Border Patrol operations” and that the action “contradicts Border Patrol's powers and duties under federal law.” Therefore, it is considered unconstitutional. texas tribune.
