Fifth Circuit Allows Texas Buoys to Remain

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has ruled that Texas can keep a 1,000-foot floating barrier in the Rio Grande, originally installed to deter illegal immigration, until a trial is held. This decision overturns a previous injunction that ordered Texas to remove the buoys due to a lawsuit from the Justice Department, which claimed the barrier violated an 1899 federal law banning unapproved constructions in navigable waters. Texas Governor Greg Abbott celebrated the ruling, asserting the buoys are essential for border security, while the U.S. maintains the position that the barrier is unlawful. The appeals court found that the district court had abused its discretion when it granted the preliminary injunction, stating that the federal government had not met the necessary criteria for such an order. The ruling highlights ongoing legal and political tensions surrounding border control in Texas, particularly regarding state versus federal authority. The case is set to continue as arguments are prepared for a full trial.