Construction crews in Eagle Pass, Texas, started building a brand new, historic floating border barrier near the area on Monday. The ultimate goal of the new project is to provide a strong deterrent for individuals contemplating crossing the border illegally in high-traffic areas along the Rio Grande. This is largely due to the fact that so many immigrants have died attempting to cross the river, making it a serious safety hazard to those trying to gain access to the United States.
According to a report from the folks at Breitbart News, Texas Department of Public Safety spokesman Lt. Chris Olivarez posted a tweet containing several videos showing the construction crews starting on the installation of a series of buoys. The buoys are being put in place on the order of Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, and the Texas Legislature approved the funding for the project.
Along with the influx of thousands upon thousands of migrants crossing the area, Olivarez stated that these new barriers will also help save the lives of many individuals attempting to cross the dangerous river to reach American soil.
While the heat of a typical Texas summer is scorching, that has not seemed to deter migrants from continuing to attempt to cross from Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico, into the Eagle Pass area.
However, not everyone is thrilled by the action that Gov. Abbott is taking to try to get a handle on the out-of-control border crisis raging along the state’s boundaries.
According to the Texas Standard, Mumme then stated that the new floating barriers would alter the flow of the river, which is illegal, and would ultimately make changes to the boundary between the U.S. and Mexico. It remains to be seen if Biden or another federal group goes after Gov. Abbott and Texas because of that, or if it will stay silent in the hope of the border crisis calming down without his administration having to deal with it.
Over the course of the last week, a total of four individuals drowned in the Eagle Pass area, attempting to cross the river. Some individuals are concerned the barriers will make rescue missions more difficult. But it could also stop individuals from attempting to cross the first place, obviating the need for most rescue missions. It remains to be seen what happens on that front.
Mumme revealed that netting will be installed to prevent migrants from swimming beneath the buoys. He also said that he believes this will lead to debris being trapped by the nets and create additional hazards for those trying to cross. But, again, if the danger and difficulty deter them from crossing, then the hazards won’t come into play.
The installation of floating border barriers in Eagle Pass, Texas, has sparked both praise and criticism, highlighting the complex nature of border control efforts in the region. While the primary goal of the project, championed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, is to deter illegal crossings and protect lives, some argue that the barriers themselves could create additional hazards.
Proponents of the barriers emphasize that they could significantly reduce the number of dangerous attempts to cross the Rio Grande, a river known for its swift currents and perilous conditions. Many migrants, desperate to reach U.S. soil, have drowned in the process. Texas Department of Public Safety spokesman Lt. Chris Olivarez noted that the new floating buoys should act as a preventative measure, discouraging people from taking unnecessary risks. With migrant deaths on the rise in this high-traffic area, the floating barriers are seen as a way to curb a humanitarian crisis.
On the other hand, environmental and legal concerns have surfaced. Critics argue that the buoys could alter the natural flow of the river, which could have broader ecological and legal ramifications, particularly with respect to the boundary between the U.S. and Mexico. Opponents, including Mumme from the Texas Standard, point out that any alterations to the Rio Grande could violate international treaties and further complicate relations between the two countries. They also warn that the barriers may trap debris, making the river even more hazardous for anyone attempting to cross.
Moreover, concerns have been raised about how the barriers might affect rescue missions. In the event of a migrant attempting to cross the river and finding themselves in distress, the barriers could make it harder for rescue teams to reach them. However, supporters of the project argue that the deterrence effect of the barriers could minimize the need for such missions in the first place.
As the border crisis continues to evolve, it remains to be seen whether these floating barriers will have the desired impact of reducing illegal crossings and saving lives. The Biden administration has yet to take a firm stance on the new project, leaving questions about the federal government’s role in addressing the challenges at the U.S.-Mexico border. What is clear, however, is that the debate over border control measures is far from settled, and the floating barriers in Eagle Pass may only be the beginning of a larger conversation about the future of U.S. immigration policy.
For now, Texans and others watching this issue closely will wait to see how the floating barriers affect the ongoing crisis at the southern border. Whether they become a successful deterrent or a source of new complications remains to be seen.
