Texas State Senator Roland Gutierrez Calls on Gov. Abbott to Pull Death Buoys out of Rio Grande

  As whistleblower reports of children dying and people getting lacerations at the border, U.S. Department of Justice threatens lawsuit against State of Texas

Press release from the Office of Texas State Senator Roland Gutierrez

File photo by Michael Robinson

EAGLE PASS, TEXAS – Thursday morning, the Houston Chronicle reported that the U.S. Department of Justice is ready to sue the State of Texas over its illegal buoys after a whistleblower account detailed a series of immoral and inhumane punishments against migrants ordered by Governor Greg Abbott. The whistleblower stated that troopers were under orders from the state to refuse water to migrants and push young children into the Rio Grande river.

The DOJ action follows calls to act from Senator Gutierrez, the Texas Democratic Congressional Delegation, and the Texas Senate Democratic Caucus.

“Greg Abbott, pull these buoys out of the water now. Children are dying. People are getting hurt. By no means should these strategies be considered immigration policy or even border security. We are endangering the lives of not only migrants, but law enforcement. This is reckless and cruel, plain and simple,” said Senator Roland Gutierrez.

You can read Senator Gutierrez’s letter to the Department of Justice here.