By Steve Neavling
In a victory for federal law enforcement, the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday narrowly decided to allow Border Patrol agents to remove razor wire that the state of Texas had strung up along the Rio Grande to curtail migrant crossings.
By a 5-4 vote, the court suspended a lower court’s decision to bar the federal government from removing the razor wire, the Associated Press reports.
The justices issued a one-page order and provided no explanation for their decision.
Texas filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration last year, arguing that federal agents illegally destroyed state property when they cut through miles of razor wire.
Texas spent $11 million to place 70,000 rolls of concertina wire across the border, causing some migrants to be seriously injured and increasing the risk of drownings.
The Border Patrol is opposed to the wire, saying it’s preventing agents from reaching at-risk migrants, including infants and unaccompanied children.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbot, who authorized the wire, is not giving up.
“This case is ongoing, and Governor Abbott will continue fighting to defend Texas’ property and its constitutional authority to secure the border,” Abbott spokesman Andrew Mahaleris said.
The White House expressed support for the decision.
“Texas’ political stunts, like placing razor wire near the border, simply make it harder and more dangerous for frontline personnel to do their jobs,” White House spokesperson Angelo Fernández Hernández said.
CBP has been clashing with Texas over immigration policy. Earlier this month, the Department of Homeland Security urged Texas to stop blocking Border Patrol agents from entering a public park along the southern border in what has become the latest legal standoff with the state.
Texas has defied the order.
