Eagle Pass Thrust Into World Political Scene By Epic Battle Between Texas and United States
By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2024
Nestled along the Rio Grande on the United States-Mexico border, the City of Eagle Pass and its 30,000 residents have been thrust into the world political scene by a whirlwind of events giving rise to an epic political and legal battle between Governor Greg Abbott and the State of Texas with the United States government under President Joe Biden regarding the enforcement of American immigration law, leading to a showdown between Republicans and Democrats concerning border security and the future of democracy in the world hanging by a thread.
In March 2021, Texas Governor Greg Abbott launched the controversial program named Operation Lone Star to combat drug trafficking, human trafficking, gun smuggling, money laundering, and other criminal activities emanating from drug cartels in Mexico into the State of Texas and the United States. The Texas Legislature has funded Operation Lone Star to the tune of over $10.5 billion since its inception.
On January 10, 2024, Abbott and the State of Texas seized complete control and possession of Eagle Pass’s Shelby Park against the City’s wishes, excluding the U. S. Border Patrol access and entry to the park to perform their federal immigration duties and use of the only boat ramp in the Rio Grande within the community.
Since March 2021, a series of events have escalated the historic political and legal battle between Abbott and Texas and the United States government to the forefront of world politics as the United States Senate has negotiated bipartisan legislation to reform the American immigration legal system for the first time since 1986 under President Joe Biden tied to a supplemental request for $106 billion funding for border security, aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, but now that a border security deal is imminent the Republican Party led by Abbott, U. S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, and former President Donald J. Trump are balking at approving the historic and badly needed reform of the American immigration legal system because Biden would receive credit for this significant legislative victory, disadvantaging Trump in his bid for the Republican Party nomination for President against Biden in the November 5, 2024 election.
Eagle Pass now is not only the epic center for the fight against reforming the American legal system in 30 years, but also for the fight for democracy in the world as Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan desperately need and are awaiting funding from the United States Congress to continue their battles or defense against authoritarian or communist governments such as Russia, China, Iran, or North Korea. Their continued funding depends on whether Congress approves President Biden’s $106 billion supplemental funding request since it has been tied to reforming the American legal system (border security) at the request of Republicans, but now Republicans are reneging on their own request and demands for the sake of giving Trump and their party a political wedge issue to campaign on for the 2024 election since they have no legislative accomplishments to show the American voters.
The American economy under President Biden is buzzing with robust economic growth, adding 353,000 jobs in January 2024 and setting records on Wall Street Stock Indexes, wage growth is at 4.5% in 2023, and unemployment is a low 3.7%. The American economy is healthy and the strongest in the world at the moment.
Who could have imagined that Eagle Pass would become the epic center for the battle for world democracy and reform of the American immigration legal system?
Abbott and 14 Republican Governors are scheduled to appear at Eagle Pass’s Shelby Park, known as “The Graveyard of the Confederacy,” on Sunday, February 4, 2024 at 2:30 p.m for a briefing and press conference regarding the status of immigration enforcement and produce another political stunt for fundraising, campaigning, and photo opportunities while bashing President Biden’s record on immigration enforcement. The press conference is open only to news media approved by Abbott’s press office and invited guests.
Also scheduled to appear in Eagle Pass is a convoy of trucks, buses, and vehicles on Saturday, February 3, 2024, calling themselves “God’s Army,” seeking to defend the United States border from illegal immigration, or, as they prefer to call it, “an invasion of people.”
In addition, a group of concerned Faith leaders and citizens from Eagle Pass and around the United States will be having several activities in the community to promote Jesus Christ’s teachings, love, and peace during February 2-5, 2024. On Friday, February 2, at 11 a.m. they will have a press conference at the Maverick County Courthouse.
Local, state, and federal law enforcement authorities met this week on coordinating security and transportation routes for all these scheduled appearances, protests, and counter-protests in Eagle Pass during this weekend of February 2-4, 2024. Law enforcement are concerned that violence may erupt if not patrolled and secured.
Meanwhile, the American legal immigration system will more than likely not be reformed despite producing a conservative, Republican legislation proposal because Republicans want to make it a campaign issue for 2024; Eagle Pass’s Shelby Park will remain under Abbott and Texas’s control and possession; Biden’s $106 billion supplemental funding request will more than likely not be approved; Ukrainians will continue to die in their cities and battlefields without American aid; Taiwan may face an invasion from China; and the Israeli-Hamas War might spread to other regions of the Middle East.
Just to think that little old Eagle Pass and its Shelby Park would become the epic center for the fight for world democracy and reforming the American immigration system is incredible and unbelievable. Stay Safe Eagle Pass.
