Texas Immigration Policies: Placing Migrants at Risk

Texas Officials Put Migrants in Danger Pushed Into Razor Wire, Dangerous Waters; Cut US Funds to Operation Lone Star

Summary

Texas officials have come under fire after reports emerged of migrants and asylum seekers being pushed back, stranded in dangerous conditions, and injured by razor wire under Operation Lone Star. These incidents, including the mistreatment of children, raise serious human rights concerns and call for a thorough investigation. Human Rights Watch has called for an end to all federal support to the operation, and for the Texas legislature to hold oversight hearings. The documented pushbacks violate international legal prohibitions and underscore the need for accountability and an end to harmful enforcement practices.

The Plight of Migrants

According to reports, migrants and asylum seekers, including young children and pregnant women, faced a range of dangerous situations at the Texas-Mexico border. These include being pushed back toward the Rio Grande by Texas National Guard soldiers, becoming trapped in razor wire installed by Texas authorities, and being diverted into dangerous parts of the river where they suffered injuries or drowned. The email from a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper medic provides detailed accounts of these incidents, which occurred between June 30 and July 1, 2023.

Human Rights Watch’s Response

Human Rights Watch has strongly condemned the actions of Texas officials and called for immediate action to address the harm caused under Operation Lone Star. The organization has called for an end to all federal funding and collaboration with the operation, as well as oversight hearings by the Texas legislature. These incidents, which meet the definition of border “pushbacks,” not only violate international legal prohibitions on collective expulsions and refoulement but also constitute specific violations regarding the treatment of children.

Operation Lone Star’s Impact

Operation Lone Star, a border security operation initiated by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, has faced criticism for its harmful impact on migrants and asylum seekers. Reports indicate that the program has led to injuries, deaths, racial profiling, and violations of the rights of migrants and US citizens. It has also stifled freedom of association and expression. Moreover, there is no evidence to suggest that Operation Lone Star has effectively slowed migration. Instead, it has inadvertently strengthened criminal cartels that exploit the fears of migrants and asylum seekers, leading them through dangerous terrain and increasing the risks they face.

Importance of Accountability and Reform

The revelations about the treatment of migrants and asylum seekers at the Texas-Mexico border highlight the need for accountability and reform. The United States Department of Justice has initiated an investigation into these incidents, which should be thorough and prompt. All federal and state law enforcement agencies involved in the abuses should be held accountable. Additionally, the Texas legislature should take immediate action by conducting oversight hearings to address the concerns raised by Human Rights Watch and other stakeholders. It is crucial to end the harmful practices under Operation Lone Star, cut off federal funding to the operation, and ensure the protection of the rights and well-being of migrants and asylum seekers.

Conclusion

The mistreatment and endangerment of migrants and asylum seekers at the Texas-Mexico border under Operation Lone Star are of great concern and should be addressed urgently. It is imperative to conduct a thorough investigation into these incidents, hold those responsible accountable, and put an end to harmful enforcement practices. The international legal prohibitions on collective expulsions and refoulement must be upheld, and the rights of migrants, including children, must be safeguarded. Only through accountability, oversight, and reform can we ensure the protection of human rights and the well-being of migrants and asylum seekers.