The Biden administration is suing Texas Gov. Greg Abbott over “dangerous” border barriers in the Rio Grande: “See you in court, Mr. President,” replies the Republican governor

The Biden administration on Monday sued Texas over floating barriers erected in the Rio Grande as part of an emergency measure to prevent migrants from crossing into Mexico.

A government official accused Gov. Greg Abbott of playing dangerous “political games” with the lives of people trying to escape.

Abbott appeared to be enjoying the action, saying in a statement shortly before the Justice Department’s move, “Texas will see you in court, Mr. President.”

Earlier this month he had large plastic buoys installed in the river near the town of Eagle Pass to discourage people from crossing.

The Biden administration says he has no right to take such action.

As part of Operation Lone Star, Texas has deployed thousands of National Guard troops to the border and erected a floating barrier in the Rio Grande

The Biden administration said Gov. Greg Abbott has no legal authority to take such action

“We allege that Texas violated federal statutes by erecting a barrier in the Rio Grande without obtaining the necessary federal approval,” Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta said.

“This floating barrier poses a threat to shipping and public safety, and raises humanitarian concerns.”

At the same time, it triggered diplomatic protests from Mexico, she said.

White House spokesman Abdullah Hasan said government efforts had already reduced the number of illegal border crossings this year.

“Governor Abbott’s dangerous and illegal actions undermine this effective plan, make it difficult for border patrol men and women to do their job of securing the border, and put migrants and border officials at risk,” he said.

As part of Operation Lone Star, Texas has sent thousands of National Guard troops to the border and bused migrants to Democratic-run towns far from the border.

However, an administration official said that with the repeal of Title 42 earlier this year, border crossings have already dropped to their lowest level in two years.

“Republican officials have no plan and are just playing political games,” he said, accusing them of destroying the immigration system and “snatching babies from their mothers’ arms” for four years under the Trump administration.

Just before the Justice Department filed his complaint, Gov. Abbott sent a letter to Biden claiming he had the authority. “Texas will see you in court, Mr. President,” he said

Concertina wire lines the banks of the Rio Grande at Hugo and Magali Urbina’s pecan farm, near Eagle Pass, Texas

He added, “Republican officials don’t want solutions; They want chaos.’

For his part, Abbott responded with a preemptive letter to Biden, insisting he had the constitutional authority to resolve a crisis he created.

“If you really care about human life, you need to start enforcing federal immigration laws,” the letter said.

“This is how you can help me stop migrants from risking their lives in the waters of the Rio Grande.”

“You can also help me save Texans, and basically all Americans, from deadly drugs like fentanyl, anti-trust violence, and the horrors of human trafficking.” “To eliminate the risk of migrants being harmed crossing borders illegally, you must fully enforce United States laws that prohibit illegal immigration between ports of entry.”

Last year, the Arizona government sued after Gov. Doug Ducey used containers to fill gaps and extend President Donald Trump’s border wall.

The containers have been removed.