Texas Floating Border Barrier Gets Temporary Reprieve as Court Rules in Favor

A federal court decision allows Texas to maintain its floating barriers on the Rio Grande, deterring illegal immigration, until a May hearing.

In a recent turn of events, a federal court has reversed an order requiring Texas to remove the floating barriers from the Rio Grande, allowing them to stay in place until a May hearing. The defeat for the Biden Administration adds complexity to ongoing efforts to address the border crisis.

Texas deployed the string of buoys, costing $1 million, to deter illegal crossings near Eagle Pass. While the federal government initially won the case, the recent decision by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans prompts further scrutiny.

Constitutional law attorney David Coale explains that the court’s en banc review, involving all 17 judges, indicates serious questions about federal versus state authority at the border. The concrete-anchored buoys, spanning three soccer fields, will remain for now.

As legal battles continue, top congressional leaders met with President Biden to discuss a deal linking aid to Ukraine with changes in border security policies. While prospects for a vote next week are hopeful, challenges remain, reflecting the broader debate on domestic safety and immigration reform.