Mexico has formally objected to Texas' newly implemented floating barrier along the Rio Grande, claiming it potentially breaches existing border and water treaties. Foreign Relations Secretary Alicia Bárcena announced that Mexico has issued a diplomatic note to the U.S. government expressing these concerns and will dispatch an inspection team to assess whether the barrier encroaches on Mexican territory.
Deployed in early July, the barrier, composed of interconnected buoys, aims to deter illegal crossings. However, it has drawn criticism from migrant advocates who fear drowning risks and environmentalists concerned about its impact on the river's ecosystem. Mexico has also raised concerns about the addition of barbed wire on a river island near Eagle Pass, Texas.
Migrants approach the floating border barrier under construction in Eagle Pass, Texas, on July 11, 2023. (AP / Eric Gay)
The inflatable barrier system deployed by Texas on the Rio Grande in Eagle Pass. (Texas DPS)
Texas Governor Greg Abbott's office stated that the barrier is designed to make it harder for individuals to cross the Rio Grande illegally. Abbott emphasized the state's commitment to addressing the border situation and highlighted the $5.1 billion allocated for border security by the Texas Legislature. He praised the efforts of the Texas Department of Public Safety in managing the influx of migrants.
Governor Abbott at a press conference discussing border security measures. (Gov. Greg Abbott's Office)
In June, Governor Abbott signed six border security bills into law, expanding the authority of the Texas military to use drones in search and recovery operations, allowing trained Border Patrol agents to make arrests at border checkpoints, and compensating landowners for property damage resulting from illegal crossings.
