Justice Department sues Texas over floating border barrier in the Rio Grande

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Texas Gov. moves forward with floating border barriers on Rio Grande


Texas DPS spokesperson Lt. Chris Olivarez discusses Gov. Greg Abbott’s buoy system to prevent people from crossing the border outside of the state’s legal ports of entry.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) sued Texas on Monday over the state's decision to curb illegal immigration with a floating buoy border barrier on the Rio Grande.

The DOJ first announced their intention to sue last week in a letter to Governor Greg Abbott. The lawsuit was filed in federal court in the Western District of Texas on Monday afternoon.

In the lawsuit, the DOJ claimed that the barrier obstructs "the navigable capacity of waters of the United States." The department noted that Texas officials installed the barrier without permission from the federal government over whether it was safe for the public and the environment.

"The State of Texas’s actions violate federal law, raise humanitarian concerns, present serious risks to public safety and the environment, and may interfere with the federal government’s ability to carry out its official duties," the DOJ previously said in the letter, according to the Houston Chronicle.

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Migrants walk by a string of buoys placed on the water along the Rio Grande border with Mexico in Eagle Pass, Texas, on July 16, 2023. The buoy installation is part of an operation Texas is pursuing to secure its borders, but activists and some legislators say Governor Greg Abbott is exceeding his authority.  (SUZANNE CORDEIRO/AFP via Getty Images)

The barrier, which is made up of orange buoys, was announced by Abbott in June before being installed in July. The floating buoys are part of Abbott's Operation Lone Star, which seeks to control the border crisis amid record-high migrant encounters.

The DOJ lawsuit notes that the federal government warned Texas officials that the barrier is a violation of federal law.

"On July 24, 2023, the Governor responded [to the warning] with a letter addressed to President Biden," the suit says. "The Governor’s letter acknowledges ‘the floating marine barriers we have deployed in the Rio Grande River in Eagle Pass’ and states that ‘Texas will see you in court, Mr. President.’"

Federal officials believe the barrier threatens public safety and poses humanitarian concerns, in addition to navigation-related issues.

ABBOTT MOVES AHEAD WITH FLOATING BORDER BARRIERS ON RIO GRANDE DESPITE LIBERAL OUTRAGE

Migrants approach the site where workers are assembling large buoys used as a border barrier along the banks of the Rio Grande in Eagle Pass, Texas. A Texas state trooper said Troopers have been ordered to push migrants back into the Rio Grande and deny them water. (AP/Eric Gay)

"This floating barrier poses a risk to navigation, as well as public safety, in the Rio Grande River, and it presents humanitarian concerns," the DOJ letter said, according to the Chronicle. "Thus, we intend to seek appropriate legal remedies, which may include seeking injunctive relief requiring the removal of obstructions or other structures in the Rio Grande River."

Texas officials have defended the barrier by pointing out that it discourages migrants from crossing, which is inherently dangerous.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott holds a news conference as members of the Texas National Guard prepare to deploy to the Texas-Mexico border in Austin, Texas, Monday, May 8, 2023. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

"Anytime they get in that water, it’s a risk to the migrants," Texas Department of Public Safety director Steve McCraw said in June. "This is the deterrent from even coming in the water."

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Fox News Digital reached out to Abbott for a statement, but has not heard back.

Fox News Digital's Adam Shaw contributed to this report.