The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has threatened to take legal action against the state of Texas if it does not end its seizure of Shelby Park along the Rio Grande River. DHS claims that Texas's actions are unconstitutional and impede Border Patrol operations in the area.

In a letter addressed to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, DHS asserts that Texas's control over Shelby Park disrupts the federal government's operations and demands that the state remove all barriers and grant Border Patrol full access to the area. The letter highlights that some of the barriers deployed by Texas are on federal land, further heightening the dispute.

Texas took control of Shelby Park in Eagle Pass on Wednesday, citing the need to prepare for future illegal immigrant surges and to combat organizations facilitating illegal crossings. This move has escalated tensions between Texas and the federal government, adding to the already numerous ongoing lawsuits between the two sides.

DHS claims that Texas is blocking approximately 2.5 miles of the border, impeding Border Patrol's access to the area. The letter references a 2012 Supreme Court case that affirms the federal government's broad power over immigration and border enforcement, further supporting DHS's position.

The letter further addresses a recent tragic incident in which three migrants, including two children, drowned in the area. DHS asserts that Border Patrol had been blocked from accessing the area, while Texas maintains that the bodies were already being recovered by Mexican authorities when Border Patrol requested access, refuting any negligence on their part.

DHS concludes the letter by stating that if Texas fails to respond by the end of Wednesday with a commitment to cease efforts to block access and remove barriers, the matter will be referred to the Department of Justice for appropriate action. The department emphasizes that all options will be considered to restore Border Patrol's access to the border.

The legal battle between Texas and DHS adds to the already contentious relationship between the state and the federal government over border security. The Biden administration has previously voiced its concerns over Texas's use of razor wire to stop illegal crossings, the setting up of buoys in the Rio Grande, and a recent anti-illegal immigration law enacted by Governor Abbott. The White House has accused Abbott of attempting to "politicize the border" with his actions.

While DHS awaits a response from Texas, Governor Abbott has made it clear that he intends to continue employing various methods to address the issue of illegal immigration. "Texas will continue to use every tool possible to block illegal immigration," Abbott stated.

As the legal battle unfolds, the implications for border security and immigration policies remain at the forefront of the ongoing discourse between Texas and the federal government.