In a defiant move against the Biden administration, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has refused to comply with a demand letter from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), stating that the state will not allow federal border authorities into Shelby Park. This park has become a hotbed for illegal border crossings, and Abbott took control of it last week as part of his emergency declaration to address the ongoing migrant crisis. Fences were erected to keep both citizens and federal border agents out, sparking a legal battle between Texas and the federal government.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton expressed his support for the state's actions in a letter to DHS General Counsel Jonathan Meyer. Paxton argued that Texas has the constitutional authority to defend its territory and vowed to continue defending the state's efforts in court. He criticized the DHS for wasting time and resources on suing Texas instead of enforcing existing immigration laws. Paxton also accused the Biden administration of misstating facts and the law in their demand letter, claiming that it demonstrated a lack of understanding of the situation on the ground in Shelby Park.

The dispute between Texas and the Biden administration escalated further when the White House and DHS accused Texas officials of blocking Border Patrol agents from providing emergency assistance to three migrants who tragically drowned near Shelby Park. However, the Biden administration later admitted that the migrants had died at least an hour before Border Patrol sought access to the park. According to a filing by the Justice Department with the Supreme Court, Mexican officials had notified Border Patrol at 9 p.m. local time that the migrants had drowned at 8 p.m. Two additional migrants were reported to be in distress on the US side of the Rio Grande, but they were rescued by Mexican officials and found to be suffering from hypothermia.

This ongoing clash between Texas and the federal government highlights the deep divide over immigration policies. Governor Abbott's decision to take control of Shelby Park and his refusal to comply with the DHS demand letter reflect his commitment to combatting illegal border crossings. Meanwhile, the Biden administration's accusation that Texas hindered emergency assistance efforts has only intensified the already contentious relationship between the two sides. As the legal battle unfolds, the outcome could have significant implications for border security and immigration policies in the United States.