The Washington Examiner’s Anna Giaritelli stated Sunday that it would be “very unusual” that U.S. soldiers did not notice drowning immigrants who were attempting to cross the southern border in Eagle Pass, Texas.
Giaritelli’s statement comes after three immigrants attempting to cross the border drowned on Friday, with some government officials arguing Texas is responsible for their deaths. Giaritell explained that in Eagle Pass, the fire department rescued 43 people last year from drownings, and that U.S. Border Patrol “normally” has boats patrolling the water to help prevent potential drownings.
“I’ve been down to Eagle Pass seven times the last couple years, but what I’ve observed since Biden took office and Abbott deployed National Guard, is there’s constantly soldiers on the riverfront watching to see where people are crossing,” Giaritelli said. “For them to not have observed this, right at 9 o’clock as it was happening, is very unusual.”
Giaritelli added that she believes the federal government will conduct its own investigation into how the drownings happened, and that it will come to its “own conclusion” of what happened.
In the wake of the three drownings, Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX), said Saturday that the blame for the deaths lies solely on the shoulders of Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX). The White House and Department of Homeland Security have also blamed Abbott for “blocking” federal agents from conducting life-saving emergency rescues.
The DHS and U.S. Customs and Border Protection told the Washington Examiner on Saturday, in separate statements, that its Border Patrol agents had learned of the drowning from Mexican authorities and tried to respond, but Texas authorities refused to let federal police into the seized city land.
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On Wednesday and Thursday, Texas sealed off city park land and a city-owned golf course in Eagle Pass from federal employees, including law enforcement. Prior to the news of the drownings, Abbott spokeswoman Renae Eze defended Texas in an email to the Washington Examiner, arguing that the state was “holding the line at our southern border.”
“Instead of enforcing federal immigration laws, the Biden Administration allows unfettered access for Mexican cartels to smuggle people into our country,” Eze’s statement read. “Texas will continue to deploy Texas National Guard soldiers, DPS troopers, and more barriers, utilizing every tool and strategy to respond to President Biden’s ongoing border crisis.”
