Supreme Court rules border agents can cut razor wire Texas placed along US-Mexico border

The Supreme Court has weighed in on the latest bout in the ongoing fight on border enforcement between Texas and the federal government. The 5-4 ruling by the high court allows federal agents to cut razor wire installed by Texas.

In a move to discourage illegal border crossings, Texas installed 30 miles of razor wire along the U.S.-Mexico border. The Justice Department argued that the razor wire was injuring some migrants and prevented the federal government from patrolling the border and getting to migrants who needed help.

The U.S. Supreme Court has spoken: Texas must remove the razor wires along the Rio Grande.

We appreciate this ruling — and recognize this is just one piece of Gov. Abbott's complete disregard for human life.

Cruelty to migrants is not a policy solution. 🗣️ https://t.co/IPoavLkkbH

— ACLU of Texas (@ACLUTx) January 22, 2024

In early January, the federal government argued that Texas national guardsmen blocked agents from accessing part of the Rio Grande River, where it was reported that a woman and two children had drowned trying to cross the river. Border patrol agents allegedly were stopped from attempting to render aid to other migrants in distress. Texas, though, denied those allegations.

As for the SCOTUS ruling, none of the justices explained their vote, and Andrew Mahaleris, a spokesperson for Gov. Greg Abbott (R), said the fight for the border is not over as the legal process plays out.

This is not over.

Texas' razor wire is an effective deterrent to the illegal crossings Biden encourages.

I will continue to defend Texas' constitutional authority to secure the border and prevent the Biden Admin from destroying our property.https://t.co/pV7Cuq57d1

— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) January 22, 2024

“This case is ongoing, and Governor Abbott will continue fighting to defend Texas’s property and its constitutional authority to secure the border,” Mahaleris said.

Meanwhile, the White House celebrated the Supreme Court’s ruling, adding that Texas is only making it more difficult for border agents to operate.

“Texas’ political stunts, like placing razor wire near the border, simply make it harder and more dangerous for frontline personnel to do their jobs,” White House spokesperson Angelo Fernández Hernández said.