Texas to place floating barrier in Rio Grande to deter migrants from illegally crossing river

Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott announced on Thursday plans to install marine floating barriers in the Rio Grande to deter migrants from crossing the river and illegally entering the United States.

The 1,000-foot wall will consist of interconnected, 4-foot-wide, inflatable sphere buoys that can be moved and extended. The buoys spin when grabbed to prevent individuals from climbing over them.

Abbott stated that the new barrier would be deployed on July 7 near Eagle Pass. According to city officials, the area is a heavily trafficked entryway for migrants attempting to cross into the United States illegally.

The governor stated that the administration plans to move and extend the inflatable barrier as needed to provide adequate coverage in crossing "hotspots."

Texas Department of Public Safety director Steve McCraw explained that the new floating barrier would cost the state $1 million.

When asked whether he had concerns that the barrier would present a hazard to individuals attempting to cross the river, McCraw told the New York Times that he believes it will deter migrants from even entering the river.

During the Thursday press conference, McCraw explained that the buoys would also help protect the southern border from the Mexican cartels.

"Today, public enemy number one is the Mexican cartels, and they impact every community in Texas and the United States," McCraw stated. "Our mission is to detect and interdict transitional criminal activity and create proactive strategies to combat it. It's dangerous to cross between ports of entry, and securing the border between them is ideal to fight Mexican cartels."

Deputies in Eagle Pass recover one to two bodies from the river each day, the Maverick County sheriff told the Times. He welcomed the installation of the floating barrier as "another tool" to aid in securing the southern border.

"Anything that keeps us from finding a dead body on the side of the river, I'm for," he said.

On Thursday, Abbott signed a series of sweeping border security legislation.

"Texas has pushed back against the swell of migrants and held the line to keep people out of Texas—but there's more that needs to be done," Abbott said. "The Texas Legislature has stepped up to make sure we continue to robustly respond to President Biden's growing border crisis, including allocating $5.1 billion for border security. Today, I am signing six bills from this year's regular session to ensure that Texas can continue to do even more to stop illegal immigration at our southern border and provide new tools to the brave men and women along the southern border to protect Texans and Americans from the chaos and crisis of the border."

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