TSLA - Texas Governor Abbott's Anti-Immigration Measures Spark Environmental Crisis Along Texas-Mexico Border: 'It's Been Destroyed' Says A Resident | Benzinga
In an attempt to curb immigration, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has implemented stringent measures along the Texas-Mexico border. However, this strategy has not only affected the lives of migrants but has also led to severe environmental degradation.
What Happened: The Rio Grande’s ecosystem, in particular, has been significantly impacted by the anti-immigration measures, reported The Guardian. The environmental damage is particularly evident in Eagle Pass, where the lush riverbanks have been replaced with roads for patrol vehicles, rusty shipping containers, and razor wire.
Abbott recently announced the construction of a new $170 million, 80-acre facility, named Camp Eagle, to house up to 2,300 Texas National Guards. This move signifies a more permanent presence of such troops in the area, despite immigration enforcement being a federal jurisdiction.
The environmental changes in Eagle Pass, a direct result of Abbott’s Operation Lone Star initiative, have been devastating. The area has been ravaged by the initiative, which has cost Texas taxpayers over $11 billion.
Residents, such as retired teacher and kayaking business owner Jessie Fuentes, are deeply concerned about the environmental damage. Fuentes ...