Texas Arresting Illegal Immigrants As It Continues To Defy Biden Administration

 Texas is arresting illegal immigrants for trespassing in Shelby Park as the state defies the Biden administration's demand that it hand control of the park back to federal authorities.

Last week, Texas took control of Shelby Park, a 47-acre public park in Eagle Pass that has seen large numbers of illegal immigrants. Texas said it was necessary to take control of the park as federal officials escalated the border crisis while the Biden administration has said the state has obstructed Border Patrol.

Texas Department of Public Safety spokesman Chris Olivarez announced Wednesday that state troopers have begun arresting illegal immigrants in the park.

Under the authority of [Governor Greg Abbott's] border disaster declaration, [Texas DPS] troopers are arresting illegal immigrants for criminal trespassing in Shelby Park near Eagle Pass. Troopers are making criminal trespass arrests on single adult men and women .The State of Texas will maintain a proactive stance in preventing illegal border crossings between ports of entry,” he posted on Twitter.

On Thursday, Olivarez announced that he had arrested three more illegal immigrants, two from Azerbaijan and one from Ecuador. He attempted to enter the park through the barbed wire installed by Texas and was arrested and jailed for criminal trespass.

The Department of Homeland Security sent a cease-and-desist letter to Texas on Sunday demanding they give up control of Shelby Park, which the Texas National Guard had taken over as part of the state's crackdown on illegal immigration.

In response, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said that the state would not relinquish control of the park.

“Texas will not surrender to Biden’s destructive open border policies. Attorney General Paxton will continue to defend Texas as it exercises its constitutional authority to protect the state’s territory, sovereignty, and citizens,” Paxton said Wednesday in response to the DHS letter.

“Instead of addressing Texas's immediate requests for protections, President Biden has authorized DHS to send threatening letters through its attorneys. But Texas also has lawyers, and I will continue to stand up for this state's constitutional powers of self-defense. Instead of running to the U.S. Department of Justice in hopes of winning an injunction, you should advise your clients at DHS to do their jobs and follow the law, Paxton wrote in a response letter.

The Biden administration has said it will use all legal remedies to take back control of the park.