Gonzalez and CHC Call for Investigation of Eagle Pass Drownings

Texas Representative Vicente Gonzalez (D) took to social media to share a statement from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) asking for the federal government to investigate the tragic drownings of 3 migrants at Eagle Pass, TX.

“I led a letter with @JoaquinCastrotx and CHC colleagues urging DOJ and DHS to investigate the recent drowning of migrants at Eagle Pass and use all options to stop @GovAbbott from implementing his deadly policies at our Southern Border. We can’t let his racist policies continue.”

“The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) demands that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and U.S. Department of Homeland Security investigate the state of Texas and the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) for their actions to restrict access to the Rio Grande River that prevent U.S. border patrol agents from performing their duties.”

In the statement, the lawmakers expressed their outrage at the drownings of 33-year-old Victerma de la Sancha Cerros, 10-year-old Yorlei Rubi, and 8-year-old Jonathan Augustin Briones de la Sancha as they attempted to cross the Rio Grande across the U.S.-Mexico border near Shelby Park in Eagle Pass, TX.

The CHC blasted the Abbott administration and the Texas DPS for refusing to allow Border Patrol agents access to the migrants facing death at the border. Furthermore, the representatives lamented the continued use of buoys which have been declared illegal.

“Although these dangerous buoys were deemed illegal, and their removal was ordered by a federal appeals court in December 2023, Texas officials have refused to remove the buoys,” reads the letter.

“On July 2023, CHC members on a Congressional Delegation visit to the U.S.-Mexico border were informed that U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials stationed around the Eagle Pass area had all but forfeited patrolling areas where Texas DPS officers set up camp. Governor Abbott continues to implement Operation Lone Star and, seemingly, act with impunity for more than two years,” concluded the CHC.

Texas Representative Joaquin Castro (D) recently ripped the governor for his attempt to “obstruct” operations at the border.

“Governor Greg Abbott is using the Texas National Guard to obstruct and create chaos at the border. If Abbott is defying yesterday's Supreme Court ruling, @POTUS needs to establish sole federal control of the Texas National Guard now,” said Rep. Castro.