Supreme Court allows removal of Texas border razor wire

The Supreme Court sided with the Biden administration and ruled that Border Patrol agents can remove or cut through the concertina-wire barriers set up by Texas along the Rio Grande stretch as part of the state’s effort to prevent illegal border crossings.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton criticized the decision, vowing to defend the state’s sovereignty.

In a 5-4 vote, Monday’s ruling set aside a previous lower-court order that restricted such actions unless a medical emergency.

The administration had argued that the wire hindered federal agents from reaching migrants who had already crossed into the country.

However, Texas Governor Greg Abbott defended the wire as an “effective deterrent.” The contested area includes much of private land and was a part of Gov Abbott’s Operation Lone Star initiative, aimed at discouraging migrants from crossing the Mexico border.

The Department of Homeland Security welcomed the decision and urged Congress to address issues within the immigration system.