A U.S. appeals court has ruled in favor of Texas in a heated clash over razor-wire fencing along the state’s border with Mexico, delivering a significant blow to federal efforts aimed at dismantling the controversial barrier.
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, in a 2-1 decision, granted Texas the green light to continue its lawsuit accusing the federal government of trespassing without requiring the removal of the fencing. The dispute centers on razor-wire installations near Eagle Pass, Texas, designed to curb illegal migration—a tactic celebrated by the state’s leaders and criticized by federal authorities.
Judge Kyle Duncan, writing for the majority, emphasized that Texas was not attempting to hinder federal immigration enforcement but instead sought to protect its property rights. He dismissed concerns from the federal government about the impact on immigration operations, asserting that the public interest favors safeguarding property from unwarranted government intrusion.
In a scathing dissent, Judge Irma Carrillo Ramirez countered that the federal government had not relinquished its sovereign immunity and warned that Texas’s position risks undermining federal immigration law enforcement.
The decision underscores the growing tensions between Republican-led states like Texas and the Biden administration, which has faced persistent criticism over border policies. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton hailed the ruling as a major victory for the state, framing it as a triumph of state sovereignty over federal overreach.
This legal battle adds to a series of contentious disputes over border security, including Texas’s deployment of floating barriers in the Rio Grande. The 5th Circuit, known for its conservative leanings, has become a pivotal battleground in these cases, often shaping the balance between state and federal powers in immigration policy.
Meanwhile, broader challenges loom, as the Biden administration confronts similar pushback from other states seeking to implement restrictive immigration measures.
