In a recent development regarding the ongoing border issues between the United States and Mexico, the United States Justice Department has informed Texas that its floating barrier of wrecking ball-sized buoys on the Rio Grande River violates federal law and raises concerns for migrants and asylum seekers crossing into the country.

The barrier, which was installed by the Texas government near the border town of Eagle Pass, was deemed “unlawful” in a letter dated Thursday and obtained by the Associated Press. The letter from the Justice Department to Texas Governor Greg Abbott stated that the floating barrier poses risks to navigation, public safety, and presents humanitarian concerns. It also informed the state that legal action would be taken if the barriers were not removed.

The office of Governor Abbott did not respond to a request for comment, but he took to Twitter to assert that Texas was acting within its rights. The Justice Department lawyers further warned Texas officials that the federal government would sue the state unless the barriers were removed. They argued that the floating barriers, authorized by Governor Abbott, violated federal law, impeded the work of federal law enforcement, and created serious risks to public safety and the environment. They cited the Rivers and Harbors Act as evidence of Texas's unauthorized construction of the barriers, stating that it obstructed navigation along the Rio Grande.

The Justice Department officials gave Texas the opportunity to hold talks with the administration to prevent litigation and demanded a response by Monday. If no response was received by the specified time, the United States intended to file legal action. Governor Abbott, however, appeared undeterred by the warning, stating on Twitter that Texas would continue to deploy strategies to protect Texans, Americans, and migrants risking their lives.

The floating barriers on the Rio Grande River have attracted national attention recently after a Texas state trooper filed a complaint about the barriers diverting migrants, including children, into dangerous parts of the river where they are more likely to drown. The trooper also raised concerns about Texas' broader border initiative, Operation Lone Star, including migrants being cut by razor wire set by the state and directives to push families back into the Rio Grande.

The letter from the Justice Department emphasized that Texas needed permission from the federal government before setting up the buoys and that it had failed to seek such permission. The department argued that the barriers violated the Rivers and Harbors Act by obstructing "navigable capacity" along the Rio Grande. A Biden administration official revealed that the floating barriers had interfered with Border Patrol efforts to patrol the river and process migrants who reached U.S. soil. In one week, dozens of injured or drowned migrants, including babies, were encountered by Border Patrol.

Under federal law, once migrants are on the U.S. side of the border, Border Patrol officials are required to process them and make decisions regarding deportation, transfer to another agency, detention, or release. The law also mandates the review of asylum claims for those seeking refuge. State officials do not have the authority to enforce these laws.

The ongoing border issues have fueled a high-profile feud between Governor Abbott and President Biden. Abbott has criticized the Biden administration's handling of the migration wave along the U.S.-Mexico border, resulting in various actions by the Texas government, such as busing migrants to Democratic-led cities, arresting migrant adults on state trespassing charges, and deploying the Texas National Guard to set up razor wire along the Rio Grande.

Despite these measures, unlawful entries along the southern border in June reached the lowest level since the start of the Biden administration, contradicting predictions of a massive spike in unauthorized migration following the end of the pandemic-era order known as Title 42. The Biden administration attributes the sharp reduction in illegal border crossings to its efforts to expand opportunities for migrants to enter the U.S. legally and its stricter asylum rules for those who do not apply for these programs.

As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen whether Texas will comply with the Justice Department's demands or face legal action. The fate of the floating barriers on the Rio Grande River could have significant implications for the ongoing immigration crisis and the relationship between the federal government and the state of Texas.