In a major legal victory for Texas, a federal appeals court ruled Wednesday that the federal government cannot destroy razor wire barriers installed by the state near Eagle Pass to prevent illegal border crossings.
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A federal appeals court ruled on Wednesday to stop the federal government from dismantling a razor wire barrier that Texas had put up along the U.S.-Mexico border.
The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a lower court ruling, allowing Texas to obtain a preliminary injunction to safeguard the wire that stretches over 29 miles near Eagle Pass.
The conflict arose when Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration, claiming that Border Patrol agents unlawfully removed the razor wire that the state had put in place to discourage migrants. "This represents a significant victory for Texas and the nation," Paxton stated on Newsmax, condemning federal measures as a violation of state rights and private property.
Governor Greg Abbott expressed his approval of the decision, stating on X: "We continue adding more razor wire border barrier."
The debate surrounding the razor wire aligns with wider border conflicts. This year, Texas made headlines by controversially taking over a municipal park in Eagle Pass to further its barrier initiatives.
Activists criticized the ruling, contending that it places greater emphasis on deterrence than on humanitarian issues. In the meantime, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum conveyed to President-elect Donald Trump that her country is handling migrant care efficiently.
A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security has yet to provide a comment on the ruling, which introduces a new dimension to the ongoing discussion regarding state versus federal authority over border security.
