Texas Governor Greg Abbott recently took to social media to issue a warning to migrants about the presence of alligators in the Rio Grande river. His message, shared on X (formerly Twitter), highlighted the potential danger migrants may face when attempting to cross the river.
Abbott’s warning came in response to a video posted by journalist Auden B. Cabello, showing an alligator spotted by a resident while fishing in the Rio Grande in Eagle Pass. Previous sightings of alligators in the area have been confirmed by Border Patrol, raising concerns about the safety of migrants navigating the river.
While alligators are common in swamps, rivers, and marshes of the southern U.S., including parts of Texas, encounters between humans and alligators have increased as human populations expand in the region, according to Texas Parks and Wildlife.
Abbott’s warning coincides with ongoing disputes between Texas and the Biden administration over border security measures. Texas has implemented aggressive measures, including the installation of a 1,000-foot-long floating barrier of buoys in the Rio Grande as part of Abbott’s border mission called Operation Lone Star.
However, a U.S. District Judge recently ruled that the Biden administration may proceed with a lawsuit alleging that Texas violated an environmental law by installing the barrier. The lawsuit highlights the broader tensions between Texas and the federal government over immigration policies and border security.
Immigration has become a central issue ahead of the 2024 election, with Abbott and other Texas officials blaming the Biden administration for migrant encounters and advocating for stricter border controls. Texas has taken various measures, including building its own border wall, deploying razor wire fencing, and seizing illegal substances like fentanyl.
Abbott’s warning about alligators serves as a reminder of the risks migrants face when attempting to cross the Rio Grande. As debates over immigration policy and border security continue, the safety of migrants navigating the treacherous waters of the Rio Grande remains a pressing concern.