Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced a legal victory this week as the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that federal officials cannot remove razor wire barriers installed along the Texas-Mexico border. The decision marks a win for Texas’ efforts to secure the border amid criticism of the Biden administration’s immigration policies.
“BREAKING: the federal court of appeals just ruled that Texas has the right to build the razor wire border wall,” Abbott wrote on X. “We continue adding more razor wire border barrier.”
Attorney General Ken Paxton also praised the ruling, describing it as a “HUGE WIN FOR TEXAS.” The court’s decision prohibits federal agents from damaging or removing the barriers, which were installed as part of Operation Lone Star.
The razor wire is intended to deter illegal crossings but has faced criticism from federal officials, who claim it poses risks to migrants and interferes with Border Patrol activities. Texas has defended the barriers as necessary to address federal inaction on border security.
The dispute escalated earlier this year when the Supreme Court allowed federal agents to cut the wire. Despite this, Texas continued to install additional fencing, intensifying the conflict with the Biden administration.
With President-elect Donald Trump set to return to office, Abbott expects stronger federal support for his state’s measures. Trump has promised to prioritize border security, including mass deportations and expanded physical barriers.
This ruling underscores the tension between state and federal immigration policies and reinforces Texas’ commitment to securing its border independently.
