Article Summary
The Biden administration has requested that the Supreme Court allow the removal of razor wire at the US-Mexico border. The dispute is over the Border Patrol’s legal authority to cut concertina wire that Texas installed on the Rio Grande banks. Texas sued last year to stop the wire cutting, arguing that it destroys state property and undermines security. A federal appeals court last month ordered Border Patrol agents to halt the practice while court proceedings are ongoing. The Justice Department has asked the Supreme Court to overturn this decision.
Biden Administration Appeals to Supreme Court over US-Mexico Border Dispute
The Biden administration asks the Supreme Court to allow the US Border Patrol to remove razor wire at the US-Mexico border, escalating the dispute with Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott over border policy.
The conflict concerns the Border Patrol’s legal authority to cut concertina wire installed by Texas on the Rio Grande’s banks. Texas sued last year, asserting that wire cutting illegally destroys state property and weakens security, aiding migrants in crossing the border.
Last month, a federal appeals court ordered Border Patrol agents to halt wire cutting during ongoing court proceedings. The Justice Department, in response, filed an emergency application on Tuesday, urging the Supreme Court to reverse the decision.
The Department argues in its appeal that “Federal law unambiguously grants Border Patrol agents the authority, without a warrant, to access private land within 25 miles of the international border.”
Repeated disputes over the US-Mexico border have occurred between Texas and the federal government. The issue has become a Republican Party focal point as election season heats up, with criticisms about the Biden administration’s handling of a migrant surge at the border.
US cities distant from the southern border have reported reaching a breaking point managing migrant influxes, partly due to Texas’ practice of busing migrants to other states.
The Biden administration states in court documents that agents cut the razor wire to provide medical aid to migrants or apprehend those who have crossed into US territory.
Warning of “serious on-the-ground consequences,” the DOJ argues that the appeals court ruling warrants the Supreme Court’s intervention. They contend that the injunction hinders Border Patrol agents’ ability to make swift decisions in challenging border circumstances, enforcing federal immigration laws, and maintaining public safety.
The DOJ claims the appeals court ruling “removes a crucial form of officer discretion to prevent the development of deadly situations,” including the mitigation of drowning risks and exposure-related deaths.
Read More US Political News
This article may have been created with the assistance of AI.
Our stories may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our web site. Please see our republishing guidelines for use of photos and graphics.
