US Reps: State of Texas bears responsibility for drowning of female adult and two children

Rio Grande Guardian
BY LUIS MONTOYA 
JANUARY 14, 2024

EAGLE PASS, Texas – Members of the South Texas congressional delegation say the State of Texas bears responsibility for the deaths of a female adult and two children who drowned in the Rio Grande.

The three migrants drowned in a stretch of the river next to Shelby Park in Eagle Pass. The State of Texas is currently blocking Border Patrol from accessing the park, against the wishes of Eagle Pass City Council.

“This is what Operation Lone Star looks like on the ground. Texas officials blocked U.S. Border Patrol agents from doing their job and allowed two children to drown in the Rio Grande,” said U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro of San Antonio.

“Governor Abbott’s inhumanity has no limit. Everyone who enables his cruelty has blood on their hands.”

U.S. Rep, Vicente Gonzalez of McAllen said: “How many lives will it take for Governor Abbott to stop his political games? Due to his orders, U.S. Border Patrol agents were unable to render aid to a woman and two children. Governor Abbott continues his racist mission of death and destruction along the southern border. This must end.”

U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar of Laredo said: “I recently learned that three migrants – a female adult and two children – drowned in the Rio Grande River near Shelby Park in Eagle Pass.

“Border Patrol learned on Friday, January 12, 2024, at approximately 9:00 p.m. that a group of six migrants were in distress as they attempted to cross the Rio Grande River. Border Patrol attempted to contact the Texas Military Department, the Texas National Guard, and DPS Command Post by telephone to relay the information, but were unsuccessful. 

“Border Patrol agents then made physical contact with the Texas Military Department and the Texas National Guard at the Shelby Park Entrance Gate and verbally relayed the information. However, Texas Military Department soldiers stated they would not grant access to the migrants – even in the event of an emergency – and that they would send a soldier to investigate the situation. Earlier today, Saturday, January 13, 2024, the three migrant bodies were recovered by Mexican authorities.

“Border Patrol personnel were forced out of Shelby Park earlier this week by the Texas National Guard under order of Governor Abbott. In this situation, the Texas Military Department and the Texas National Guard did not grant access to Border Patrol agents to save the migrants.

“This is a tragedy, and the State bears responsibility.”

According to the Dallas Morning News, Gov. Abbott’s office and the Texas Department of Public Safety referred questions about the death of the migrants to the Texas Military Department. 

The Texas Military Department said in a news release that Border Patrol contacted the department at about 9 p.m. Friday to report migrants in distress in the river. 

“A military unit near a boat ramp in Shelby Park searched the river using lights and night vision goggles, the release said. At about 9:45 p.m. Friday, the state military department observed Mexican authorities responding to an incident on Mexico’s side of the river bank. The military department contacted Border Patrol, which confirmed with Mexican officials that they did not require assistance, the release said. At that time the Texas Military Department ceased its search operation,” the Dallas Morning News reported. 

The Eagle Pass Border Coalition hosted a vigil on Saturday, Jan. 13, to remember 700-plus hundreds migrants who lost their lives crossing the Rio Grande. 

Earlier this month, Gov. Abbott said on the Dana Loesch talk radio show: “The only thing we are not doing is we’re not shooting people who come across the border, because, of course, the Biden administration would charge us with murder.” 

Mexico’s Secretary of Foreign Relations office condemned Abbott’s comments in a statement.

“Mexico expresses its absolute concern at any type of expression that encourages violent acts and the dehumanization of the migrant community,” the statement said. “We respect human rights and denounce all types of aggressive insinuations against a person’s life.”