Heartbreaking: Woman and Two Children Lose Lives Crossing Rio Grande, Texas Troops Bar Border Patrol Aid

By Pennie Spruill Last updated Jan 18, 2024

In a heartbreaking incident on Friday night, a woman and two children lost their lives in the Rio Grande in Eagle Pass, Texas. The tragedy took a grim turn as U.S. Border Patrol agents were allegedly prevented from responding to distress calls, according to federal officials’ statements on Saturday.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) revealed that despite receiving information about the distressed migrants from the Mexican government, Border Patrol agents were physically obstructed from entering the area on the U.S. side. Texas National Guard troops, under the directives of Governor Greg Abbott, reportedly barred their entry, intensifying the unfolding crisis.

Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, shed light on the incident, disclosing that the deceased were part of a larger group of six migrants in distress on Friday night. Mexican authorities recovered three bodies on Saturday, though identities and ages remain unknown.

Cuellar’s statement indicated that Border Patrol agents attempted to contact Texas Military Department and Texas National Guard officials to no avail. Even after physical contact at the Shelby Park Entrance Gate, Texas Military Department soldiers purportedly refused access to the migrants, asserting that they would send a soldier to investigate.

Contradicting this narrative, the Texas Military Department contended that their personnel found no distressed migrants along the river during the reported period. They emphasized that at no point did they obstruct illegal immigrants or observe any distress in the specified timeframe.

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Governor Abbott’s office and the Texas Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The DHS has been entangled in a legal battle with Texas over border access, with a lower court ruling in December favoring Texas and preventing the removal of barriers erected by the state.

The White House, through a spokesperson, condemned Governor Abbott’s actions, labeling them as “cruel, inhumane, and dangerous political stunts.” The spokesperson underscored the critical need for U.S. Border Patrol to have unrestricted access to enforce laws along the border.

Mayor Rolando Salinas Jr. of Eagle Pass noted the emergency custody takeover of Shelby Park by the state, further escalating tensions in the region. The move appears to align with Abbott’s ongoing efforts to draw attention to migrant crossings and criticize the Biden administration’s perceived open-border policy.

Abbott’s controversial statements, including those suggesting Texas was doing everything short of lethal force to halt illegal crossings, have drawn criticism. The DHS characterized his policies as not only extreme but also posing serious risks by disregarding federal authority over immigration matters.

In response to the tragic drownings, the DHS expressed deep sadness and reiterated concerns about actions hindering the U.S. Border Patrol’s essential missions. The unfolding situation underscores the complexity of the border access dispute, with human lives caught in the crossfire of political posturing and legal wrangling.