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The Department of Homeland Security and a Texas congressman stated Saturday that an grownup migrant and two kids have drowned in an area on the southern border the place Texas was blocking Border Patrol from entering — however Texas authorities say they absolutely investigated the incident and didn’t see any migrants in misery.
“Tragically, a woman and two children drowned last night in the Shelby Park area of Eagle Pass, which was commandeered by the State of Texas earlier this week,’ a DHS spokesperson said in a statement.
Texas had taken control earlier this week of Shelby Park along the Rio Grande River, an area that had previously served as a staging area for processing during migrant surges in the busy crossing area. DHS had said it had been blocked from entering the area by Texas. The Texas Military Department said the move was to prepare for future unlawful immigrant surges and to cease organizations that perpetuate crossings.
A National Guard soldier stands guard on the banks of the Rio Grande river at Shelby Park on January 12, 2024 in Eagle Pass, Texas. ( (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images))
In its statement, DHS said that “responding to a misery name from the Mexican authorities, Border Patrol brokers had been bodily barred by Texas officers from entering the area.”
“The Texas governor’s insurance policies are merciless, harmful, and inhumane, and Texas’s blatant disregard for federal authority over immigration poses grave dangers. The State of Texas ought to cease interfering with the U.S. Border Patrol’s enforcement of U.S. regulation,” the statement said.
Separately, a CBP spokesperson said the agency is saddened by the deaths and “gravely involved by actions that forestall the U.S. Border Patrol from performing their important missions of arresting people who enter the United States unlawfully and offering humanitarian response to people in want.”
The White House also linked the drownings to what it called “political stunts” from Texas Gov. Abbott.
“On Friday evening, a lady and two kids drowned close to Eagle Pass, and Texas officers blocked U.S. Border Patrol from trying to present emergency help. While we proceed to collect details concerning the circumstances of those tragic deaths, one factor is obvious: Governor Abbott’s political stunts are merciless, inhumane, and harmful,” a spokesperson said. “U.S. Border Patrol should have entry to the border to implement our legal guidelines.”
Earlier, Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, had issued a statement announcing the deaths. He said that Border Patrol attempted to contact Texas officials by phone after they learned of six migrants in distress, but were unsuccessful and had later verbally relayed information in person to Texas Military Department soldiers, who said they would not grant access to Border Patrol even in the event of an emergency.
DOJ RENEWS SCOTUS PUSH TO ACT AFTER TEXAS SEIZES BORDER AREAS, BLOCKS BORDER PATROL FROM ENTERING
“Border Patrol personnel had been compelled out of Shelby Park earlier this week by the Texas National Guard beneath order of Governor Abbott. As a consequence, Border Patrol was unable to render assist to the migrants and try to save them,” he said.
In a statement of its own, the Texas Military Department confirmed it had been contacted by Border Patrol about a “migrant misery state of affairs” and searched the river with lights and night vision goggles, but no migrants were observed.
“At roughly 9:45pm TMD noticed a gaggle of Mexican authorities responding to an incident on the Mexico-side of the river financial institution,” the statement said. “TMD reported their observations again to Border Patrol and so they confirmed that the Mexican authorities required no further help. At that point TMD ceased search operations.”
“At no time did TMD safety personnel alongside the river observe any distressed migrants, nor did TMD flip again any unlawful immigrants from the US throughout this era,” the agency said. “Also, at no level was TMD made conscious of any our bodies within the area of Shelby Park nor was TMD made conscious of any our bodies being found on the U.S. facet of the border relating to this example.”
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has sparred with the Biden administration over border policies. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
The department said it maintains water rescue equipment and works with local emergency services to aid migrants in need of medical attention.
Tensions have been high between Texas and the federal government, with ongoing lawsuits related to Texas’ construction of razor wire and the administration’s cutting of it, the establishment of buoys in the Rio Grande, and a recent anti-illegal immigration law signed by Abbott.
Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, has called for greater cooperation between his state and the federal government. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
Speaking to Fox News Digital, Cuellar said he understands why the state can be frustrated by the government, but said that the incident showed that “you’ll be able to’t simply go solo on issues.”
“This is one thing the place I believe if individuals really need to speak about border safety, the state must be working with the federal authorities as a substitute of excluding them,” he said.
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He said that he has a great deal of respect for Texas authorities and noted his brother used to be an officer in the Department of Public Safety, but stressed the importance of state and federal agencies working together.
“I simply do not perceive what the aim is of making an attempt to exclude the Border Patrol from a specific area and it must be…much less politics and extra cooperation,” he stated.
Fox News’ Matt Finn, Bill Melugin and Andrew Murray contributed to this report.
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