Texas Continues To Put Up Razor Wire At The U.S.-Mexico Border Even After Supreme Court Ruling

Texas is continuing to add razor wire to the U.S.-Mexico border even after a recent Supreme Court decision ruled that it was not allowed to do so.

“We are putting up wire … everywhere we can,” Texas Lt Gov. Dan Patrick told Fox News. “We will continue. We will not stop. If they cut it, we will replace it.”

The Supreme Court granted a request filed by the Biden Administration that asked for the removal of the razor wire at the United States and Mexico border by a 5-4 vote.

The ruling stated that four conservative members – Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh – voted to reject the request.

Several White House personnel have previously argued against the use of razor wire at the border, stating that it makes the jobs of Border Patrol agents more difficult and more dangerous. 

The White House blamed current immigration laws for the crisis at the border. “Ultimately, we need more resources and policy changes to address our broken immigration system,” a White House spokesman said in a statement. 

Texas previously sued border patrol for trespassing and damage of state property when agents cut the wire, although the Biden Admin argued that the installation of the wire prevents border agents from reaching migrants who have already illegally crossed the border into the U.S. 

In an incident that took place at Eagle Pass, Texas, three people drowned trying to cross the Rio Grande. The Department of Homeland Security cited this as an example of how the razor wire operates as an obstacle preventing agents from doing their jobs.

After a federal judge ruled in favor of the Biden Administration, the 5th Circuit Court of New Orleans reversed the decision, ruling that said agents cannot cut or move the wire unless a medical emergency demands it.

The installation of the border’s razor wire was an idea introduced by Texas Gov. Gregg Abbott (R) to slow the influx of illegal immigrants crossing the southern border under his program “Operation Lone Star.”

“Operation Lone Star” enforces rules such as moving groups of immigrants out of Texas into blue states and cities and arresting migrants on the charge of trespassing. Texas has also previously placed buoys in the Rio Grande to prevent migrants from crossing through the river. The Biden Administration challenged this move with a lawsuit, but the buoys have remained so far.

On Sunday, a bipartisan group of senators introduced a compromise bill to address the border crisis.