Texas Representative Veronica Escobar (D) led a group of Texas representatives in a letter to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland, condemning the shooting of a Mexican national.
In a controversial move, a Mexican national was recently shot by a Texas National Guard service member.
The details of the August 26 event are unclear. However, the letter alleges that the incident is connected to Operation Lone Star (OLS).
“However, as Operation Lone Star is a joint operation between DPS and the Texas Military Department, the Texas Rangers are not an impartial entity in this investigation,” reads the statement.
“Additionally, given that a Mexican national was involved in this incident, we urge the Department of Justice to open its own investigation into the shooting and to collaborate closely with our Mexican counterparts.”
The letter criticizes Gov. Abbott’s handling of the border and blames his policies for the violent incident.
“Given Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s continued undermining of federal immigration responsibilities through OLS and tactics such as the buoy barrier system, an incident like the shooting on August 26 was inevitable.”
Though the Mexican national did not die, the representatives still condemned the actions that sparked the shooting.
“While we are relieved that the incident did not end in any fatalities, we remain highly concerned that unless it is taken seriously and those responsible are held accountable, it is only a matter of time until the next such incident, or something far deadlier, occurs,” the members wrote.
Earlier in August, Texas Representative Joaquin Castro led Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) members in calling for the Biden administration to investigate Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s (R) migrant family separation practices.
“With Operation Lone Star, Governor Greg Abbott is taking our country down a road that is reminiscent of the worst episodes of moral failure in our country's history,” said Rep. Castro.
“The Biden administration must not simply look the other way while children are dying on Operation Lone Star buses and fathers are being ripped from their families and detained for months at a time with no due process."
