(Washington) The United States Supreme Court on Monday authorized President Joe Biden’s administration to remove barbed wire installed by Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott on the border with Mexico, amid political tension over the migration question.
A declared supporter of Donald Trump, who made the fight against immigration one of the main themes of his electoral campaign, Mr. Abbott openly defies the authority of the Biden administration, accusing it of “deliberate inaction” in the face of a record influx of migrants at the border in recent months.
PHOTO SARA DIGGINS, AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN VIA ASSOCIATED PRESS
Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott
In December, a federal appeals court barred the Federal Border Patrol from removing or dismantling barbed wire installed by Texas authorities near the border town of Eagle Pass, unless justified by a medical emergency.
The Department of Justice petitioned the Supreme Court in early January to obtain the annulment of this ban pending a judgment on the merits and the Court granted this request on Monday by five votes, including that of its president, John Roberts, against four.
Four of the six members of the conservative majority voted against this decision but did not provide reasons for their disagreement.
Furthermore, the takeover since January 11 by the Texas National Guard of a municipal park in Eagle Pass bordering the Rio Grande has sparked controversy between the Biden administration and Governor Abbott.
The Justice Department accuses the governor of preventing the Federal Border Patrol from accomplishing its mission by “blocking its access to the border even in an emergency” for approximately 3.7 km along the river, which the Texas authorities dispute this.