(NewsNation) — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott asserts the battle “is not over” following the Supreme Court’s ruling to allow Border Patrol agents to cut razor wire that Texas installed on the U.S.-Mexico border while a lawsuit over the wire continues.
“Texas’ razor wire is an effective deterrent to the illegal crossings Biden encourages. I will continue to defend Texas’ constitutional authority to secure the border and prevent the Biden admin from destroying our property,” said Abbott, who ordered the installment of the razor wire as part of his broader fight with the administration over immigration enforcement.
Justices on Monday granted an emergency appeal from the Biden administration, which has been in an escalating standoff at the border with Texas and had objected to an appellate ruling in favor of the state.
“The Supreme Court’s temporary order allows Biden to continue his illegal effort to aid the foreign invasion of America,” said Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton following the decision. “The destruction of Texas’s border barriers will not help enforce the law or keep American citizens safe. This fight is not over, and I look forward to defending our state’s sovereignty.”
The Department of Homeland Security informed SCOTUS that the razor wire impacts agents’ abilities to help migrants in need and complicates the apprehension of migrants by Border Patrol agents.
NewsNation has captured several instances of migrants navigating through concertina wire.
Texas officials have argued federal agents cut the wire to help groups crossing illegally through the river before taking them in for processing.
This legal battle over the razor wire began in October when Texas’ attorney general sued the Biden administration. This followed an incident in Eagle Pass where federal agents used a forklift to lift the razor wire and apprehend a group of migrants.
The concertina wire stretches for roughly 30 miles near the border city of Eagle Pass, where earlier this month the Texas Military Department seized control of a city-owned park and began denying access to Border Patrol agents.
Abbott also authorized installing floating barriers in the Rio Grande near Eagle Pass and allowed troopers to arrest and jail thousands of migrants on trespassing charges. The administration also is challenging those actions in federal court.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.