Updated Sep 7, 2023 - Politics & Policy

Appeals court says Texas floating border barrier can remain for now

Rebecca Falconer

A string of buoys used as a border barrier on the Rio Grande River in Eagle Pass, Texas, US, on Thursday, July 13, 2023. Texas started deploying a new floating barrier on the Rio Grande as a way to deter migrant crossings at the US-Mexico border. — A string of buoys used as a border barrier on the Rio Grande River in Eagle Pass, Texas, in July. Photo: Jordan Vonderhaar/Bloomberg via Getty Images

An appeals court temporarily allowed Texas' floating border barrier blocking migrants crossing from Mexico into the U.S. to remain in place in the Rio Grande on Thursday, per multiple reports.

Driving the news: Attorneys for Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) and the state argued in a filing Thursday opposing a federal judge's preliminary injunction a day earlier to move the barrier to the riverbank that the "buoys have nearly eliminated illegal crossings of people and drugs where they've been placed."

They added that Texas's "sovereignty and self-defense interests are irreparably harmed" even if the state prevails on appeal against the U.S. government.

The big picture: The Biden administration is suing Texas over its floating barrier, which Axios' Stef Kight notes has upset Mexican officials and has immigration advocates worried for the safety of migrants.

Go deeper: State investigating claims about Texas border practices

Editor's note: This article has been updated with new details throughout.

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Appeals court says Texas floating border barrier can remain for now

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