Two deceased individuals were found entangled in the floating buoy border barrier implemented by Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott, according to a spokesperson from the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).
The discovery was made on Thursday, as reported by the Daily Caller News Foundation.
The Texas DPS received a report on Wednesday regarding suspected drowning victims found upstream of the buoys. Subsequently, a second body was discovered at the same location. Texas DPS Director Steve McCraw stated that preliminary information suggests the individual drowned upstream and drifted into the buoys. He also emphasized that personnel are stationed at the marine barrier at all times to prevent any attempts by migrants to cross.
Upon the first discovery, Texas DPS promptly notified U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Mexican Consulate, according to the spokesperson. However, the causes of death, as well as the identities and nationalities of the deceased, remain unknown.
The area where the bodies were found is notorious for a high number of migrants attempting to cross into the U.S. illegally, which is why Governor Abbott deployed the buoys as a deterrent.
Both the Mexican and U.S. governments have expressed concerns about the barrier. The Mexican foreign ministry stated that the placement of chained buoys by Texas authorities violates their sovereignty and raises concerns about the impact on the human rights and safety of migrants. They also emphasized that this contradicts the close collaboration between Mexico and the U.S. federal government.
In a separate development, the Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a lawsuit against Governor Abbott on July 24, arguing that the buoys violate two sections of the Rivers and Harbors Appropriation Act of 1899. The DOJ claims that the buoys obstruct navigable waters and were implemented without approval from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
The discovery of the deceased individuals highlights the ongoing challenges and controversies surrounding the issue of illegal immigration along the Texas-Mexico border. As the investigation continues, authorities are working to determine the circumstances surrounding these tragic deaths and address the concerns raised by both governments regarding the use of the buoy barrier.
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