Jamiesfeast – As the blaring horns of mariachi musicians filled the air and the rhythmic click-clack of horse hooves echoed in the distance, Mayor Rolando Salinas of Eagle Pass, Texas paused for a moment of reflection. He recognized that his city, situated on the border, is often portrayed solely as a place defined by the immigration crisis highlighted in the media. However, Mayor Salinas knew that there was so much more to Eagle Pass than what meets the eye.
Cowboys and cowgirls from Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras, Mexico, gathered on Friday at one of their two international bridges to kick off a weeklong ride to the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo. This beloved tradition is a source of local pride, especially as Eagle Pass finds itself in the spotlight due to the ongoing dispute between Texas Governor Greg Abbott and the Biden administration regarding border security and illegal crossings.
Salinas, while observing the final preparations for the annual “La Cabalgata Internacional La Grande,” expressed his admiration for the way it showcases the connectivity between the United States and Mexico.
A few hours later, approximately 200 advocates gathered in the lively town of Quemado, eagerly anticipating the “Take Back Our Border” rally scheduled for Saturday. Connie Hinton, a 56-year-old from Austin, Texas, arrived with her father, driven by their belief that it is crucial to “regulate the presence of individuals who are in the country illegally.”
The migrant surge has had a profound impact on Eagle Pass, a town filled with neglected warehouses and deteriorating homes that have been largely ignored by major retailers. This was evident in the recent rally, which commenced with a trucker convoy in Virginia.
Border Hope, an organization that assists migrants in making travel arrangements after they are released by the Border Patrol with notices to appear in immigration court, has witnessed a significant decrease in daily arrivals. According to Valeria Wheeler, the director of Border Hope, the number of daily arrivals has dropped from approximately 1,200 to about 20 in recent days.
The shelter of the group closed before the rally on Saturday due to concerns of potential unrest, despite the organizers assuring a peaceful protest.
Since early January, Texas has taken control of Shelby Park, located on the banks of the Rio Grande, turning Eagle Pass into the battleground for a fierce conflict between the Republican governor of Texas and the Democratic White House.
The park, comprising of playing fields and a boat ramp, located at the end of the downtown business district and adjacent to a golf course, is currently closed. Entry for U.S. Border Patrol agents is prohibited.
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas condemned the governor’s actions as “unconscionable” on Friday.
“It is absolutely unacceptable for a public official to intentionally withhold communication, coordination, and collaboration with fellow public officials, all in the pursuit of undermining our nation’s best interests. Such behavior only aims to create chaos and disorder for others,” declared Mayorkas in an interview with The Associated Press.
Eagle Pass, home to approximately 30,000 residents, has emerged as a prominent route for unauthorized border crossings in recent years, drawing the attention of Governor Abbott’s enforcement efforts. Situated within the Del Rio sector of the Border Patrol, which is frequently the busiest among the agency’s nine divisions along the Mexican border, this community recorded 71,095 arrests in December. This figure, second only to Tucson, Arizona, contributed to the record-breaking month with nearly 250,000 apprehensions for illegal border crossings. San Diego, California, ranked a distant third in terms of arrests during this period.
According to Jorge Barrera, president of the Eagle Pass Chamber of Commerce, visitors are facing difficulties in finding hotel rooms due to the increased law enforcement presence. Budget chains are now charging more than $200 per night, further adding to the struggle for accommodation.
According to Barrera, rapid growth can pose challenges for communities trying to keep up with the pace. While everyone appreciates growth, it can become overwhelming when it happens too quickly.
The grassy fields of Shelby Park were devoid of any migrants on Friday, as Texas National Guard members carefully unfurled razor wire on train containers scattered along the riverbanks. According to the mayor, only around 200 migrants had arrived on Thursday, marking a significant decrease from the numbers seen in December.
The U.S. Supreme Court, in a divided decision, has granted permission to the Border Patrol to remove the razor wire installed by Texas. However, Texas remains steadfast in its efforts to install more wire. The federal government has argued that the presence of the wire hampers its border patrol operations and hinders its ability to assist migrants in need.
The Biden administration has informed the Supreme Court that Border Patrol’s ability to monitor the border at Shelby Park has been effectively hindered by Texas. Defending the seizure, Attorney General Ken Paxton has stated his commitment to safeguarding Texas’s southern border against the federal government’s attempts to undermine it.
At a ranch located outside Eagle Pass, supporters of Abbott gathered prior to the rally on Saturday. Vendors were present, selling MAGA hats and Trump flags, which were inspired by Donald Trump. Among the various signs, one homemade sign caught attention, stating, “The federal government has lost its way. Their responsibility is to safeguard the states.”
Alicia Garcia, a resident of Eagle Pass for her entire life, has been skeptical about the effectiveness of Abbott’s initiatives. Despite avoiding Shelby Park, she attended the rodeo-themed festival near the international bridge on Friday. Garcia raised concerns about the significance of Abbott’s actions, pointing out that many asylum-seekers are ultimately released by U.S. authorities to present their cases in immigration court.
Garcia, 38, expressed his confusion about the show, stating, “Why bother with it? It would be more effective to dismantle everything if they are still managing to cross.”