REUTERS
Federal Judge David Ezra of Austin ruled Friday that the Biden administration can continue with its lawsuit against the state of Texas for installing a 1,000-foot floating barrier in the Rio Grande River intended to prevent illegal crossing from Mexico.
The district judge found that the US Department of Justice's lawsuit, which alleges that the barrier violates an environmental law by obstructing a waterway, is strong enough to proceed with the case.
Last year, Ezra had ordered Texas to remove the barrier until the case was resolved because it likely violated federal law, a decision that was upheld by an appeals panel.
For now, the plenary session is now reviewing that decision, with arguments scheduled for May 15.
The offices of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Governor Greg Abbott – both Republican critics of Biden's border policies – did not comment on the judge's decision.
The floating barrier is part of a series of measures adopted by Texas in response to the increase in illegal immigration crossings.
The measures include the transportation of immigrants to Democratic states, the installation of barbed wire fences and the approval of laws to prosecute people who are in the state illegally.
These actions have sparked legal disputes with the Biden administration and advocacy groups, who argue that Texas is interfering with the federal power to enforce immigration laws and deny immigrants' rights to apply for humanitarian aid.
