Cuellar Releases Statement on Tragic Death of 3 Migrants at Border

Texas Representative Henry Cuellar (D) released a statement on the tragic reports of the deaths of 3 migrants in Eagle Pass, TX.

“I recently learned that three migrants - a female adult and two children - drowned in the Rio Grande River near Shelby Park in Eagle Pass. Border Patrol learned on Friday, January 12, 2024, at approximately 9:00 P.M. that a group of six migrants were in distress as they attempted to cross the Rio Grande River,” said Rep. Cuellar.

“Border Patrol attempted to contact the Texas Military Department, the Texas National Guard, and DPS Command Post by telephone to relay the information, but were unsuccessful. Border Patrol agents then made physical contact with the Texas Military Department and the Texas National Guard at the Shelby Park Entrance Gate and verbally relayed the information.”

The Texas representative continued his statement, highlighting how the Texas Military Department had been a major obstacle in accessing the migrants in peril.

“However, Texas Military Department soldiers stated they would not grant access to the migrants - even in the event of an emergency - and that they would send a soldier to investigate the situation. Earlier today, Saturday, January 13, 2024, the three migrant bodies were recovered by Mexican authorities,” said the Texas lawmaker.

“Border Patrol personnel were forced out of Shelby Park earlier this week by the Texas National Guard under order of Governor Abbott. In this situation, the Texas Military Department and the Texas National Guard did not grant access to Border Patrol agents to save the migrants.”

“This is a tragedy, and the State bears responsibility,” stated Rep. Cuellar regarding the migrants' death.

The Texas Military Department has denied all claims that it created an obstacle for the border patrol agents.

“At no time did TMD security personnel along the river observe any distressed migrants, nor did TMD turn back any illegal immigrants from the US during this period,” said the TMD in a statement.

Several lawmakers have criticized the way the border is being handled. However, both parties have varying views on how the border should be fixed.

Recently, Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) shared his statement regarding New York Mayor Eric Adams’s (D) announcement that he has filed a lawsuit against the bus companies that the governor used to send migrants to New York.

“This lawsuit is baseless and deserves to be sanctioned. It's clear that Mayor Adams knows nothing about the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution, or about the constitutional right to travel that has been recognized by the U.S. Supreme Court,” wrote Gov. Abbott in the statement.