Texas fights to keep buoys in Rio Grande

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott refused on Monday to begin removing a floating barrier along the U.S.-Mexico border in the Rio Grande. Later in the day, the U.S. Justice Department sued Abbott for not meeting its demands. Abbott claims that he has the constitutional authority to deal with the border crisis caused by the federal government. “Texas will see you in court, Mr. President,” Abbott wrote in a letter to the Justice Department.

What is controversial about the buoys? The wall of buoys strung together at Eagle Pass is the first barrier of its type used at a U.S. border. The primary conflict is between the state of Texas and the federal government over who has jurisdiction to secure the border. Other concerns include an increase in immigrant deaths at the Rio Grande and the effect the buoys may have on the river.

Dig Deeper: Listen to Bonnie Pritchett explain how the deaths of immigrants have affected Texas funeral homes on The World and Everything in It podcast.