Texas state officials have rejected allegations that law enforcement officers were instructed to push people, including babies, entering the country unlawfully back into the Rio Grande.
Sen. Roland Gutierrez (D-San Antonio) recently sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland demanding an investigation into the border security measures taken by Texas.
The letter was spurred by media reports alleging that babies were being pushed into the water and unlawful migrants were being refused water to drink by Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) officers responsible for the border mission called Operation Lone Star.
In his letter, Gutierrez suggested that an investigation into these claims by the Department of Justice was long overdue.
“Since he launched Operation Lone Star (OLS) more than two years ago, Gov. Abbott has taken drastic measures to curb illegal immigration. … What began as a farce has now turned into violent, horrifying injuries and death,” Gutierrez wrote, according to The Texan.
Gov. Greg Abbott denied the allegations, noting, “No orders have been given under this mission that would compromise the lives of those attempting to cross the border illegally.”
A joint statement provided to The Dallas Express from Texas Border Czar Mike Banks, DPS Director Steve McCraw, and Texas Adjutant General Major General Thomas Suelzer also rejected the allegations against Texas as false.
“The Texas Department of Public Safety and Texas Military Department continue taking steps to monitor migrants in distress, provide appropriate medical attention when needed, and encourage them to use one of the 29 international bridges along the Texas-Mexico Border where they can safely and legally cross,” the men said.
“With migrants from over 150 countries encouraged by open border policies to risk their lives and make this dangerous trek to enter our country illegally, Texas is deploying every tool and strategy to deter and repel illegal crossings between ports of entry,” the statement continued.
“The absence of these tools and strategies — including concertina wire that snags clothing — encourages migrants to make potentially life-threatening and illegal crossings,” the border security experts said. “Through Operation Lone Star, Texas continues stepping up to respond to the unprecedented humanitarian crisis at our southern border.”
Additional information provided in the press release asserted that people attempting to circumvent U.S. law to get into the country are warned repeatedly through various means not to try to cross the border unlawfully.
“Until President Biden reverses his open border policies and does his job to secure the border, Texas will continue protecting Texans and Americans from the chaos along the border,” the release concluded.
To reinforce the claims, DPS Communications Chief Travis Considine shared examples of internal messages showing Director McCraw instructing law enforcement to offer medical aid and assistance if necessary.
“Troopers give migrants water. They treat their wounds. They save them from drowning. They also do everything possible to deter them from risking their lives in the first place,” he explained.
In response to the historic crisis at the southern border, Texas has implemented several strategies to deter unlawful migration and relieve the negative impact on border communities, including buoy barriers, razor wire, and busing those who cross the border to sanctuary cities.