EAGLE PASS, Tx – In the ongoing efforts to combat illegal entry into the United States through Texas, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has taken over Shelby Park in Eagle Pass.
Texas officials seized the 47-acre park indefinitely and notified Eagle Pass Mayor Rolando Salinas on Wednesday, Jan. 10.
Salinas addressed the operation at a press conference, saying he was caught by surprise and that the city was not expecting this move.
“The city is not in agreement with the park being taken over like that,” Salinas said to reporters.
“That is not a decision that we agreed to. This is not something that we wanted. This is not something that we asked for as a city,” Salinas said in the video.
The city did release a statement saying the city’s attorney is looking into the matter.
Shelby Park is situated along the Rio Grande and has been a hot spot of activity for illegal entry.
The park has been a focal point of Abbott’s immigration enforcement efforts in the past year as thousands of migrants have crossed the border illegally in the area.
Many migrants have reportedly been injured trying to get through concertina wire the state has deployed on the banks of the Rio Grande.
The seizure comes at a time when Gov. Abbott is said to be ramping up Operation Lone Star, the state’s response to the ongoing border crises.
Renae Eze, Communications Director for Gov. Abbott, released a statement about the border crisis.
“Texas will continue to deploy Texas National Guard soldiers, DPS troopers, and more barriers, utilizing every tool and strategy to respond to President Biden’s ongoing border crisis,” Eze said.
The Biden Administration warns it will take action in response to Texas if Border Patrol agents are not allowed into the park.