LULAC Affirms the Supreme Court in Calling for the Removal of Razor Wire Along US-Mexico Border
Nation's Oldest and Largest Latino Civil Rights Organization Says the Ruling is the Appropriate Action Until the Legal Questions are Solved in Court
January 22, 2024
Contact David Cruz - (818) 689-9991
davidcruz@lulac.org
Washington, DC - LULAC stands with the Supreme Court's ruling that paves the way for the removal of razor wire along the US-Mexico border. The nation's oldest and largest Latino civil rights organization affirms that this ruling is appropriate until the legal questions surrounding the matter are resolved in court.
"LULAC today supports the Supreme Court ruling that only the federal government has jurisdiction over all border and immigration issues," says Domingo Garcia, LULAC National President. "Texas Governor Abbott's political stunts are costing millions of taxpayers’ dollars and accomplishing nothing to solve the humanitarian crisis at the border. Not to mention the human tragedy of deaths on barbed wire walls of innocent woman and children, as was the case last week," adds Garcia.
This decisive stance by the Supreme Court reflects a 5-4 vote in favor of an emergency request filed by the Biden administration, arguing that Texas' installation of razor wire hindered Border Patrol agents from carrying out their duties. Notably, four conservative justices expressed dissent without explanation, including Justice Clarence Thomas, Justice Samuel Alito, Justice Neil Gorsuch, and Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
"The Supreme Court ruling will help save lives at the US-Mexico border if Governor Abbott obeys the decision," says Lydia Guzman, LULAC National Immigration Chair. "Further, the action by the justices allows Congress to work bipartisanly to address the broken immigration system. They are now responsible for acting quickly and carrying out their duties."
Texas Governor Gregg Abbott, a Republican, had installed razor wire near the Rio Grande at Eagle Pass as part of an operation to address illegal immigration, bringing the state into conflict with the Biden administration. The Biden administration argued that the wire barriers prevented agents from reaching migrants who had already crossed the border into the U.S.
Texas had previously sued the Biden administration to prevent agents from removing or cutting the wire barriers. A District Court judge sided with Texas in October, finding that the barriers limited illegal crossings, imposing costs on the state. Texas appealed that ruling to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit, which issued a temporary order prohibiting Border Patrol agents from cutting, damaging, or moving the barriers. The Biden administration then urgently sought the Supreme Court's intervention on an emergency basis.
LULAC calls for a swift and humane resolution to the challenges at the border, urging cooperation between federal and state authorities to address the broken immigration system. The organization remains committed to advocating for the rights and dignity of Latino communities and those seeking refuge on American soil.
###