Rodriguez: 'The Mexican government and Mexican criminal cartels exist in conscious and willing symbiosis, at multiple levels'

The Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF) released a statement in response to the preliminary injunction hearing on Aug. 22, challenging the DOJ's arguments regarding the "navigability" of the Rio Grande section where buoys were installed, according to a press release.

"The Mexican government and Mexican criminal cartels exist in conscious and willing symbiosis, at multiple levels, up to and including the Mexican presidency," TPPF‘s Selene Rodriguez said. "Yet the federal government is sending a loud message to Texas that its abusive relationship with Mexico is more important than the safety and security of our great state, which impacts the security of the nation itself."

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a lawsuit against Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and the state of Texas on July 24, accusing the state of violating the Rivers and Harbors Act. The lawsuit pertains to the installation of a buoy barrier on part of the Rio Grande by Texas authorities to deter illegal migrant crossings.

According to the DOJ, the state of Texas constructed a barrier that obstructs the navigable capacity of the river without obtaining proper authorization. This assertion implies that the United States has jurisdiction over the Rio Grande since it has been classified as "navigable," meaning it can or could be used for commercial navigation. The DOJ has requested that Texas halt the construction of such barriers and remove the existing ones.

During the preliminary injunction hearing on Aug. 22, the details of the lawsuit came to light, sparking a complex debate over the definition of "navigable," according to TPPF.

Carine Martinez, campaign director for TPPF's Secure and Sovereign Texas, expressed concern over the DOJ's arguments.

"The case appears to hinge on whether the section of the river with the buoys is considered 'navigable.' But the DOJ's witness failed to convincingly address whether the part of the Rio Grande where the buoys were installed was actually and currently navigable. In fact, the witness admitted that his determination of navigability was based on a list, which itself is based on reports and findings dating back to the 1970s and 1940s. Today, it is clear that part of the river is far too shallow to be considered navigable," Martinez said.

The dispute has also fueled broader concerns about the relationship between the United States and Mexico.

"The Mexican government and Mexican criminal cartels exist in conscious and willing symbiosis, at multiple levels, up to and including the Mexican presidency. Yet the federal government is sending a loud message to Texas that its abusive relationship with Mexico is more important than the safety and security of our great state, which impacts the security of the nation itself," Rodriguez said.