Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has responded to a cease-and-desist letter from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which demanded that Texas end its enhanced border security measures in Shelby Park, Eagle Pass. The letter, sent on January 14, requested compliance by January 17, and threatened further escalation if Texas did not comply.
The Texas Military Department had taken steps on January 11 to secure Shelby Park in order to protect public safety and address structural degradation that had occurred. However, DHS alleged that the increased security measures led to the deaths of several individuals attempting to cross the Rio Grande illegally. These claims were contradicted by the Department of Justice's filings with the Supreme Court.
Attorney General Paxton's response letter highlights that Texas continues to allow the U.S. Border Patrol to use the Shelby Park boat ramp for emergency medical care. Furthermore, Texas was only informed of the situation by federal agents on the ground after the emergency had ended and Mexican officials had already recovered several bodies. Despite this, Texas national guardsmen immediately initiated a thorough search to confirm that no one else required emergency medical assistance.
In his letter, Attorney General Paxton emphasizes that instead of addressing Texas's urgent requests for protection, President Biden has authorized DHS to send a threatening letter through its lawyers. Paxton states, "Texas has lawyers, too, and I will continue to stand up for this State's constitutional powers of self-defense. Instead of running to the U.S. Department of Justice in hopes of winning an injunction, you should advise your clients at DHS to do their job and follow the law."
Texas remains firm in its commitment to defend against what it perceives as destructive open-border policies under the Biden administration. Attorney General Paxton asserts that he will continue to use Texas's constitutional authority to defend the state's territory, sovereignty, and citizens.
The complete response letter can be accessed [here](link to the letter).
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has responded to the Department of Homeland Security's demand that Texas end its enhanced border security measures in Shelby Park, Eagle Pass. Paxton asserts that Texas will not surrender to Biden's destructive open-border policies and will continue to use its constitutional authority to defend state territory, sovereignty, and citizens.