Attorney General Ken Paxton has voiced a robust critique of the Biden Administration's handling of Texas's border defenses following a legal argument presented before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. In a lawsuit challenging how the federal government manages concertina wire at the border, Paxton argued that the administration's actions are aimed at facilitating illegal entry, not enforcing laws. He claimed Texas has the right "to defend our State and protect our property from destruction by the federal government," as reported by the Texas Attorney General's Office.
The controversy extends to claims that Texas was inaccurately blamed for fatalities at an illegal crossing along the Rio Grande, a report that Paxton says has since been disproven. "These tragic deaths were weaponized to score political points," Paxton stated, emphasizing that this misrepresentation was part of a false narrative to paint Texas in a negative light. The court was also urged to specifically review video evidence from September 20, 2023, which, according to Paxton, conspicuously shows authorities cutting through Texas's border wire to directly allow illegal crossings.
Paxton's allegations don't stop at border maintenance criticisms. He also points to the contradictions between President Biden's stated immigration policies and actions the administration has taken. The focal point of this argument is a recent Executive Order by Biden, which Paxton says undermines the administration's claims that all migrants should be entitled to asylum upon arrival. By introducing a policy to turn away certain asylum-seekers, Paxton suggests, the President has "drastically weakened his own position" in current border litigation.
In contrast to the administration's stance, Paxton is adamant that his state has not only been misrepresented but also has been proactive in defending its borders against unauthorized crossings. "I will continue to pursue every remedy available to stand up for our citizens against Biden’s border catastrophe,” he vowed. Whether Paxton's allegations hold in the judicial system, however, remains to be seen as the legal proceedings advance.
