In a win for Texas and the fight against illegal immigration, the Fifth Circuit Court has ruled that the state can continue to use its floating barriers in the Rio Grande river to deter migrants from crossing into the United States. This decision comes after months of legal battles with the Biden administration, which had tried to block the use of these barriers.
Last year, Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced the installation of the floating line of buoys as part of a series of border security bills that provided the state with $5.1 billion in funding. This was a much-needed measure, as Texas has been bearing the brunt of the border crisis. Governor Abbott explained that the barriers would prevent migrants from even reaching the border, making it easier for the state to secure its border.
However, in December 2020, the Biden administration imposed a preliminary injunction and sued Governor Abbott and the state of Texas over the use of these barriers. The Department of Justice (DOJ) claimed that the barriers hindered navigation in the Rio Grande, which is a federal waterway. Despite this, the New Orleans court ruled on Tuesday to reverse the decision and allow Texas to continue using the barriers to protect its borders.
In the judgment, Judge Don R. Willett stated that “the district court clearly erred in finding that the United States will likely prove that the barrier is in a navigable stretch of the Rio Grande.” He also added that the court’s decision was not in line with decades of legal precedent. This ruling is a validation of Governor Abbott’s stance that the barriers are necessary to prevent migrants from risking their lives in the treacherous river.
Ever since the barriers were installed, the Biden administration has been trying to block their use. In January, the full circuit court agreed to review a decision made by a panel of judges that had ruled in favor of Biden’s DOJ. The panel had reached a 2-1 decision against the barriers. This goes to show that the Biden administration is more interested in appeasing illegal immigrants than securing the border and protecting American citizens.
The timing of the Fifth Circuit’s ruling is crucial, as the district court is set to hear the case on August 6th. This effectively eliminates further legal hurdles for the state, allowing it to continue using the barriers. It is a resounding victory for President Trump and his efforts to secure the border, as well as Governor Abbott’s fight against illegal immigration.
The Fifth Circuit’s decision to uphold Texas’s use of floating barriers in the Rio Grande is a significant step in the right direction. It recognizes the state’s right to protect its borders and American citizens from the dangers of illegal immigration. This ruling is a clear indication that the Biden administration’s lax policies and disregard for border security will not go unanswered. It is time for the federal government to step up and support Texas and other border states in their efforts to secure the border and protect American sovereignty.