DOJ sues Texas and Gov. Abbott over floating barriers blocking migrant crossings

The Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against the state of Texas and Governor Greg Abbott Monday over the use of “unlawful” floating barriers intended to deter migrant crossings in the Rio Grande River. The Justice Department alleges that Texas and Gov. Abbott violated the Rivers and Harbors Appropriation Act of 1899 by building a structure in U.S. water without authorization from Congress or the United States Army Corps of Engineers. The floating barrier is a 1,000-foot-long string of orange buoys along the Rio Grande border between Mexico and Eagle Pass, Texas.