Woman and 2 Children Drown in US River Amid Border Dispute

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(Photo Credit: bbc)

Recently, an unfortunate incident occurred when a woman and two children drowned in the Rio Grande river while attempting to enter the United States from Mexico. The tragic event unfolded as Texas military officers prevented federal border officials from providing assistance. 

According to US border officials and members of Congress, this incident is emblematic of the ongoing immigration dispute that has intensified between Texas Governor Greg Abbott and the administration of US President Joe Biden.

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The backdrop to this heartbreaking incident is the escalating disagreement over immigration between the Republican Governor of Texas, Greg Abbott, and the Democratic administration of US President Joe Biden. Since Biden assumed office in 2021, there has been a significant surge in the number of migrants and refugees crossing the US-Mexico border illegally, further exacerbating the tensions.

Under Governor Abbott's leadership, Texas has increasingly taken steps to enforce its own border controls, encroaching on what has traditionally been the federal government's jurisdiction. This clash of authorities has led to the recent tragic events along the Rio Grande.

The attempt to cross the river near Shelby Park in Eagle Pass, an unauthorized entry point where Texas National Guard recently fortified with concertina wire and fencing, resulted in the fatal incident. The federal government has accused Texas of obstructing federal Border Patrol agents from accessing the Rio Grande through new barriers erected in the area.

In response to these allegations, Texas asserted that Border Patrol agents had ceased using the boat ramp for several months, and up until the recent filing, they were unaware of the federal law enforcement's objections. When agents learned of migrants in distress on Friday night, they were reportedly denied access by Texas military officials, who also declined to intervene even in emergencies, according to a statement by US Representative Henry Cuellar.

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The conflicting narratives between Texas and federal authorities paint a devastating picture of the failure to cooperate during such critical situations. The resulting loss of lives is an unequivocal tragedy that underscores the consequences of this discord.

The expressions of blame are equally poignant. Luis Miranda, a spokesperson for the US Department of Homeland Security, criticized Texas Governor Abbott's policies as "cruel, dangerous, and inhumane," emphasizing the risks posed by Texas's interference with federal immigration enforcement.

Ultimately, this heartbreaking incident took a toll, with the bodies of the woman and two children recovered by Mexican authorities. While the victims' identities remain undisclosed, Representative Cuellar cited the State's responsibility in this tragedy.

In a contradictory account, the Texas Military Department (TMD) claimed that it responded promptly to Border Patrol's distress call, actively searching the river but finding no migrants. They halted their search upon observing Mexican authorities responding on their side of the river and subsequently reporting their findings to the Border Patrol.

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