Texas Governor Greg Abbott has made a vow to keep controversial floating buoys in place along the Rio Grande to deter illegal immigration. These buoys were first installed in 2023 as part of Operation Lone Star, an initiative launched by Abbott in 2021. The program involves thousands of National Guard soldiers patrolling the border and installing obstacles to prevent unauthorized crossings from Mexico into Texas. The federal government has taken legal action to have the buoys removed, citing violations of the Rivers and Harbors Appropriations Act of 1899, as well as damaging U.S.-Mexico relations.
The legal battle over the buoys escalated, resulting in a ruling by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in July that overturned a previous decision ordering their removal. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton celebrated the ruling, stating that the buoys would remain in the Rio Grande to prevent illegal immigration. Despite concerns raised by the federal government, Abbott remains steadfast in his decision to keep the buoys in place. He believes that the comprehensive approach taken by Texas in border control measures has led to a decline in suspected illegal migrant encounters, citing data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
In addition to the buoy barriers, Abbott announced the deployment of a new surveillance truck as part of Operation Lone Star along the Texas-Mexico border. This Modular Mobile Surveillance System aims to enhance security measures and protect the state and nation. Abbott highlighted the use of every tool and strategy available to secure the border, including the new surveillance technology. While the governor touts the success of his border control efforts, Yael Schacher from Refugees International suggests that changes in U.S. and Mexican government policies have played a significant role in the decline of migrant encounters at the border.
Despite the ongoing legal challenges and opposition from the federal government, Abbott remains committed to maintaining the buoy barriers as part of his border security strategy. With the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling in favor of Texas, the buoys will stay in place to prevent illegal immigration along the Rio Grande. Abbott’s defiance against federal intervention underscores his determination to protect Texas from irregular migration. As the debate over border security measures continues, it remains to be seen how these efforts will impact immigration trends and relations between the United States and Mexico.
