Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has initiated a lawsuit against the Biden administration, alleging that federal agents have unlawfully cut concertina wire at the US-Mexico border. The lawsuit, filed in the Western District of Texas, emphasizes that the removal of the wire has compromised Texas’s border security efforts and left gaps in the state’s border barriers. Paxton asserts that the destruction of the property, owned by the state of Texas, has undermined efforts to deter illegal entry into its territory.
The lawsuit adds to the ongoing legal dispute between Texas and the Biden administration regarding border security amid a surge in migration, straining both local and federal resources. Paxton’s contention is that the federal government’s actions have facilitated unauthorized entry into the state, putting the country and its citizens at risk. The defendants in the lawsuit include the Department of Homeland Security, DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, US Customs and Border Protection, and other relevant authorities.
Both sides have been involved in the cutting of the wire, with a Texas official claiming that officers may need to open the wire in cases of emergency. The issue gained attention after a Texas Department of Public Safety email revealed the potential cutting of wire to address medical emergencies and maintain peace during enforcement of state law.
Paxton’s legal action is a part of the broader conflict over border security measures in Texas, including the deployment of floating barriers in the Rio Grande. The Justice Department previously sued Texas over the installation of these buoys, alleging unlawful installation. While a district court ordered their removal, the 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals has allowed the barriers to remain while the case is under consideration.
The lawsuit reflects the ongoing challenges and controversies surrounding immigration and border security, highlighting the complex and contentious nature of the issues at the US-Mexico border. Source thedailycourierng news