Governor Abbott Angers Texas Mayor As City Park is Closed

Migrants in Eagle Pass, TexasPhoto byX (Twitter)

In South Texas in Eagle Pass, Governor Greg Abbott ordered the Texas National Guard to seize a public park without notifying City officials. Shelby Park is connected to the Rio Grande River and was used as a staging area for vehicles and boats as part of Operation Lone Star.

By 11 pm on January 10, Humvees (military vehicles) blocked the entrance to the park.

The park's closure caught Eagle Pass Mayor Rolando Salinas by surprise since the governor did not informal the mayor of the park's closure. There isn’t a timeline for when the park will be returned to the City. Shelby Park was set for a total solar eclipse observance in April and the City spent $1 million in preparation. 

Mayor Salinas said in a speech according to the New York Post:

“That is not a decision that we agreed to.” 

“This is not something that we wanted. This is not something that we asked for as a city.”

Salinas added:

“They will be denying access. Again, this is not the city of Eagle Pass denying access to the park. This is the state using that emergency declaration.”

Governor Abbott’s spokesperson Renae Eze said in a statement according to Texas Public Radio:

“Texas will continue to deploy Texas National Guard soldiers, DPS troopers, and more barriers, utilizing every tool and strategy to respond to President Biden’s ongoing border crisis.”

On Thursday, Governor Abbott posted on X, which is formerly Twitter:

As caravans of migrants are moving through Mexico toward the U.S. border, we are making clear that Texas will be a tough place to cross.

Photo byX (Twitter)

Mayor Salinas wondered why the State took over the park as the number of migrants entering the area has decreased in recent weeks. Recently Texas 50 counties declared a migrant invasion according to The Citizen Tribune.

Mexico has increased immigration enforcement on its side of the border, which could be a reason for the fewer migrants entering Texas. 

Do you think the State will return the park to the city in time for the solar eclipse?