In a tragic turn of events, three migrants, including a woman and two children, lost their lives on Saturday in the treacherous waters of the Rio Grande in Eagle Pass, Texas. This incident occurred just days after state authorities took the controversial decision to block the US Border Patrol from accessing miles of the US-Mexico border, making Eagle Pass the epicenter of the ongoing migrant crisis.

The news was first brought to light by Representative Henry Cuellar, a Democrat from Texas, who posted about it on his official Twitter account, known as X. Cuellar expressed his deep sorrow and held the state responsible for this tragedy. According to his post, Border Patrol received information around 9 p.m. on Friday that a group of six migrants were in distress in the Rio Grande. In an attempt to seek assistance, Border Patrol contacted the Texas Military Department, the Texas National Guard, and the Texas Department of Public Safety. Unfortunately, their efforts to relay the information by phone were unsuccessful, as Cuellar revealed in his social media statement.

Desperate to save lives, federal agents rushed to Shelby Park, a gate set up by Texas authorities along the Rio Grande, to provide crucial information. However, Cuellar disclosed that the Texas Military Department soldiers refused to grant access to the migrants, even in the event of an emergency. Instead, they promised to send a soldier to investigate the situation. Tragically, by the time Mexican authorities recovered the bodies of the three migrants early on Saturday, it was too late to save them.

This incident unfolded against the backdrop of the ongoing dispute between Texas officials and the US Border Patrol. Since Wednesday night, Texas authorities had erected fencing, gates, and razor wire to take custody and control of Shelby Park and its surrounding areas along the Rio Grande. This move effectively blocked the Border Patrol from accessing the park, as CNN had previously reported. The Texas Military Department justified this action by stating that they were preparing for future migrant surges and intended to prevent organizations that facilitate illegal immigrant crossings from operating in the area.

Cuellar, however, vehemently criticized the decision, stating that it prevented the Border Patrol from fulfilling their duty to render aid and potentially save lives. His sentiments were echoed by Representative Joaquin Castro, another Texas Democrat, who issued a statement on Saturday, accusing Texas officials of blocking US Border Patrol agents from doing their job and allowing the tragic deaths of two innocent children in the Rio Grande.

As the nation grapples with the ongoing migrant crisis, this heartbreaking incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks and challenges faced by those seeking a better life. It also underscores the urgent need for comprehensive and compassionate solutions to address the complex issues surrounding immigration and border control.