Corpus Christi Sun

Amid an ongoing clash with the Biden administration over border security, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, alongside a group of Republican governors, visited Eagle Pass, Texas on Aug. 21. Their visit rallied in support of border buoys in the Rio Grande, with Abbott affirming his commitment by saying, "We are not removing the buoys or barriers that we have securing the border," despite a lawsuit from Biden's Department of Justice.

"Texans living along the border bear the brunt of Biden’s open border policies," Abbott tweeted, according to a News Nation report.

Abbott's itinerary included an afternoon press conference at Shelby Park, where he was joined by visiting governors from Iowa, Nebraska, Oklahoma and South Dakota, all of whom have backed Abbott's Operation Lone Star initiative. Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steve McCraw, Adjutant General of Texas Maj. Gen. Thomas Suelzer and Texas Border Czar Mike Banks were also scheduled to be present.

In his recent weekly report on Operation Lone Star, Abbott revealed that the initiative has resulted in over 414,000 migrant apprehensions and 33,200 criminal arrests, including 30,100 felony charges, since its inception. Additionally, Abbott highlighted a Newsweek poll indicating that 49% of respondents either strongly support the marine barrier or back the decision to erect floating barriers.

On Aug. 22, the Justice Department is set to appear in federal court in Texas to challenge the state's implementation of its own border security measures, particularly the installation of a floating barrier of buoys in the Rio Grande, which has sparked humanitarian and diplomatic concerns. Judge David A. Ezra of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas will preside over arguments in Austin, determining whether to halt the state's latest border security initiative as part of its immigration enforcement operation along the U.S.-Mexico border. The Justice Department filed a lawsuit last month seeking the removal of the buoy barrier, citing unauthorized obstruction of U.S. waters and violation of river protection laws, while Texas contends it has a federal constitutional right to defend itself against invasion.