Texas denied federal agents access to a section of the southern border where they were trying to save migrants who eventually drowned in the Rio Grande, the U.S. Homeland Security Department reported, drawing fierce criticism, with Homeland Security blasting the state’s policies as “cruel, dangerous, and inhumane.”
National Guard soldiers stand guard on the banks of the Rio Grande river at Shelby Park on January ... [+]
Homeland Security said Saturday in a statement to multiple outlets its agents were “physically barred by Texas officials” from entering an area of Eagle Pass that Texas had taken control of, known as Shelby Park, to aid migrants in the Rio Grande who were in distress.
Three of the migrants, a woman and two children, drowned, and their bodies were recovered by Mexican authorities on Friday.
The Texas Military Department said Saturday it searched the river after the U.S. Border Patrol alerted them of the distress call, but did not find any migrants.
Homeland Security blasted Abbott’s anti-immigration policies in response to the incident, calling them “cruel, dangerous and inhumane,” and accusing Texas of “blatant disregard for federal authority.”
Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) called the incident a “tragedy” and said “the State bears responsibility” to the drownings in a statement responding to the incident.
The federal government has repeatedly clashed with Abbott’s administration over his aggressive anti-immigration policies. The Justice Department on Friday asked the U.S. Supreme Court to order Texas to stop blocking border agents from accessing the park. Texas has denied the claims and told the court it added resources along the border after Border Patrol scaled back its presence there this summer.