The death of a migrant mother and her two children in the Rio Grande on Friday has caused a new escalation in the Biden administration's tense dispute with Texas authorities over control of the border with Mexico and how to handle the migration crisis.
The Biden Administration sent a forceful letter to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Sunday, demanding that the state cease and desist from preventing the Border Patrol from carrying out its work along the entire state border with Mexico.
The letter, signed by Jonathan Meyer, general counsel at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), was obtained by NBC News, the sister network of Noticias Telemundo.
In it, Meyer alleges that a combination of Texas National Guard troops, equipment and physical barriers are unconstitutionally restricting Border Patrol access to about 2.5 miles of the Mexican border, specifically around Shelby Park.
"Recent actions by the State of Texas have impeded Border Patrol operations," the official wrote. "Those actions conflict with the authority and duties of the Border Patrol, according to federal law."
Meyer highlighted in his letter the drowning of a woman and two minors in the Rio Grande in Eagle Pass, Texas. "Texas' lack of access to the border persists even in cases of imminent danger to life and safety," Meyer wrote.
"Texas has shown that even in the most pressing circumstances, it does not allow Border Patrol access to the border to enforce the law and respond to emergencies," he added.
Abbott's "political stunts are cruel, inhumane and dangerous"
Federal officials on Saturday confirmed the deaths of a woman and two children who drowned in the Rio Grande. DHS said Border Patrol agents were prevented from entering the area from the U.S. side after Texas National Guard agents, under the direction of Gov. Greg Abbott, prevented them from responding.
The Texas Military Department later disputed the DHS statement, saying its staff was aware of a distress situation but was unable to locate migrants in need of help on the river.
In response to the deaths of migrants who drowned near Eagle Pass, a White House spokesperson said in a statement that it is "clear" that Abbott's "political stunts are cruel, inhumane and dangerous."
"On Friday night, a woman and two children drowned near Eagle Pass, and Texas officials prevented U.S. Border Patrol from providing emergency assistance," the spokesperson said.
"As we continue to gather data on the circumstances of these tragic deaths, one thing is clear: Governor Abbott's political maneuvering is cruel, inhumane, and dangerous. The Border Patrol must have access to the border to enforce our laws," he added.
Meyer's letter to the Texas attorney general comes as Abbott and some congressional Republicans have drawn attention to a record number of migrants crossing into the U.S. and blamed the Biden administration for what they describe as an "open border policy."
As part of his plan to tackle immigration, dubbed Operation Lone Star, Abbott has bused thousands of immigrants to Democratic-led cities.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Calif., led a group of House Republicans visiting the border in Texas this month as part of efforts to criticize the Biden administration's approach to immigration laws amid a record number of crossings.