Migrant Family Drowns in Rio Grande After Texas Blocks Border Agents From Rescue Alexx Altman-Devilbiss - TND
go to original January 15, 2024

Migrants cross the Rio Grande river to reach the United States from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico.  (Christian Chavez/AP)

Update: US Supreme Court Allows Border Patrol to Remove Razor Wire at Mexican Border (WOAI)

Three migrants, a woman and two children, drowned in the Rio Grande in Eagle Pass, Texas after Texas National Guard troopers blocked Border Patrol units from having access to crucial portions of the U.S.-Mexico border, according to officials.

"This is a tragedy, and the State bears responsibility," U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar wrote on X.

Border Patrol learned that six migrants were in distress as they tried to cross the Rio Grande around 9 p.m. on Friday, according to the congressman.

Attempts were made by Border Patrol officials to contact the Texas Military Department (TMD), Texas National Guard and Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) but "were unsuccessful" in relaying the information by phone, Cuellar wrote. Agents then went to the gate at Shelby Park to verbally relay the information but were told by Texas Military Department soldiers "they would not grant access to the migrants -- even in the event of an emergency."

On Saturday, the bodies of the three migrants were recovered by Mexican authorities.

Cuellar added that Mexican officials identified the woman as the mother of both children, an 8-year-old girl and a 10-year-old boy.

“In responding to a distress call from the Mexican government, Border Patrol agents were physically barred by Texas officials from entering the park,” Homeland Security said in a statement. “The Texas governor's policies are cruel, dangerous, and inhumane, and Texas's blatant disregard for federal authority over immigration poses grave risks.”

Read the rest at MyNBC

Related: DHS Threatens to Take ‘Appropriate Action’ Against Texas Over Border Access (WSJM)

Related: Texas’ Floating Barrier Between US and Mexico Can Stay for Now, Court Rules in Reversal (Associated Press)

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