In Eagle Pass, Texas, crews have begun constructing a significant floating border barrier along the Rio Grande. This new project aims to deter individuals from crossing the border illegally, especially in high-traffic areas that have posed a hazardous threat, leading to numerous fatalities.
The perilous crossing has resulted in the loss of many lives, highlighting a dire need for such a deterrent.
Lt. Chris Olivarez, a spokesman for the Texas Department of Public Safety, shared several videos on social media Monday, showcasing the beginning stages of the construction. The project, initiated by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott and funded by the Texas Legislature, involves installing numerous buoys in the river. Olivarez noted that these barriers are expected to prevent fatalities while providing a significant hindrance to those attempting the dangerous passage.
Despite the intense summer heat typical of Texas, migrants still endeavor to cross from Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico, into the Eagle Pass region.
However, the new initiative has not been universally welcomed. Steven Mumme, a scholar from the Baker Institute Center for the United States and Mexico, criticized Gov. Abbott’s actions, referring to the floating barriers as an “irresponsible experiment” compromising federal and international law.
Mumme further elaborated to the Texas Standard that the floating barriers might alter the river’s natural flow, which would not only be illegal but could potentially redefine the boundary between the U.S. and Mexico. This raises questions about whether federal authorities or the Biden administration will respond or allow the situation to unfold further in hopes of a natural resolution to the border predicament.
The current border situation remains complex, but the floating barriers represent a bold attempt to address one of the most pressing issues. The outcome of this initiative and its broader implications on the U.S.-Mexico border dynamics are yet to be seen.
