In a significant legal victory for Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott announced that the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled this week to block the Biden administration from removing razor wire barriers installed along the Texas-Mexico border. The court’s decision bolsters the state’s efforts to deter illegal immigration amid ongoing tensions with the federal government.
“BREAKING: the federal court of appeals just ruled that Texas has the right to build the razor wire border wall,” Abbott shared on X. “We continue adding more razor wire border barrier.”
The ruling follows a long-running feud between Texas and the Biden administration over border security. Attorney General Ken Paxton celebrated the decision, stating, “The Biden Administration has been enjoined from damaging, destroying, or otherwise interfering with Texas’s border fencing.”
Texas began deploying razor wire in 2021 as part of Operation Lone Star, an initiative to address illegal crossings. Federal officials, however, have criticized the barriers, arguing they harm migrants and hinder federal patrols. Despite these objections, Texas installed roughly 70,000 rolls of wire along the border.
The legal battle reached the Supreme Court earlier this year, where a 5-4 decision allowed federal agents to cut the wire. Texas responded by installing additional fencing, escalating the conflict with the Biden administration.
As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office, Abbott expects robust federal support for his state’s border security measures. Trump has pledged to prioritize deportations and bolster barriers at the southern border.
This ruling underscores the ongoing divide between state and federal approaches to immigration, with Texas leading the charge for stricter border enforcement.
