Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has firmly responded to the demands made by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), stating that Texas will not comply and will continue its efforts to secure the border. In a letter addressed to DHS, Attorney General Paxton also made several counter-demands, seeking specific information and documents related to the alleged authority of the federal agency.
The dispute arose after the Texas Military Department took action to secure Shelby Park in Eagle Pass, Texas, on January 11. This move was intended to protect the public and reinforce border security measures against an ongoing invasion. Surprisingly, DHS claimed that these law enforcement actions were unlawful and demanded that Texas cease its activities to secure the park. However, Attorney General Paxton rejected these claims on January 17, pointing out the inaccuracies in the agency's statements.
In response to Attorney General Paxton's rejection, DHS sent another letter, demanding that Texas remove all obstructions on the property, allow illegal aliens to enter the border, and surrender Shelby Park. However, Attorney General Paxton has now denied these unfounded requests and issued his own set of counter-demands.
By February 15, Attorney General Paxton has requested that DHS provide official plat maps and deeds that demonstrate precise ownership of the parcels in question. He also asks for an explanation of how Texas is preventing access to these specific parcels, documentation proving that Eagle Pass or Texas granted permission for DHS to erect infrastructure interfering with border security, and evidence that Congress has empowered DHS to turn a Texas park into an unofficial and illegal port of entry. Attorney General Paxton emphasizes that if the federal government is making such claims, it must be able to provide proof.
In his letter to DHS, Attorney General Paxton expresses his concerns about the lack of substantial response from the agency. He states, "Presumably because you have no meaningful response to our letter, your latest letter abandons earlier factual assertions, asserts new ones, and supplies even less of a legal basis for your demand." He suggests that rather than wasting time suing Texas, DHS should focus on enforcing the immigration laws already established by Congress.
Attorney General Paxton reiterates his commitment to defending Texas's efforts to protect its southern border against any attempts by the Biden Administration to undermine the state's constitutional right of self-defense. He remains steadfast in his determination to uphold Texas's border security measures.
For further details, the full letter can be accessed [here](link to the letter).