Texas moves large floating barrier on US-Mexico border closer to American soil

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

Texas moves large floating barrier on US-Mexico border closer to American soil

BY VALERIE GONZALEZ AND PAUL J. WEBER
Updated 6:27 PM EDT, August 21, 2023

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas has moved a floating barrier on the U.S.-Mexico border closer to American soil as the Biden administration and Mexico protest the wrecking ball-sized buoys that Republican Gov. Greg Abbott authorized in the name of preventing migrants from entering the country.

The repositioning comes ahead of a hearing Tuesday that could decide whether the buoys remain. Texas began installing the bright-orange buoys on the Rio Grande in July and the state was quickly sued by the Justice Department, which argues the barrier could impact relations with Mexico and pose humanitarian and environmental risks.

During a trip Monday to the border city of Eagle Pass, where the buoys are located, Abbott said the barrier was moved “out of an abundance of caution” following what he described as allegations that they had drifted to Mexico’s side of the river.

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Read more: https://apnews.com/article/texas-border-buoys-immigration-mexico-67e4b66ad085ec07cdbcadc552745d3d