Nonprofit reacts to federal ruling to stop cutting Texas razor wire at the border
The League of United Latin American Citizens, or LULAC, is speaking out after a federal judge issued a temporary ruling preventing Border Patrol agents from cutting the razor wire set up along the border.
LULAC says the ruling could be dangerous.
The ruling was made after Texas sued the federal government last week, alleging agents destroyed razor wire installed by the state in Eagle Pass.
The temporary restraining order signed by U.S. District Judge Alia Moses allows federal agents to cut the wire in case of a medical emergency, but LULAC says they worry the order could have negative consequences.
READ MORE: Judge orders federal agents to stop cutting Texas razor wire for now at busy Mexico border crossing
“It's only a two-week temporary restraining order, and I hope that in these two weeks we don't see any loss of life, any of our Border Patrol agents hurt,” LULAC National Immigration Chair Lydia Guzman said. “The federal government are the ones that should be managing the border, they're the ones that should be also managing immigration. These barbed wires do nothing to solve the immigration problem, and I hope that the judge sees this."
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said in a statement to Channel 5 News that they wouldn't comment on the pending lawsuit, adding that Border Patrol agents have a "responsibility" to take migrants into custody for processing, and a responsibility to act when agents or migrants are at risk.
The temporary ruling is in effect until Monday, Oct. 13.
Another hearing is set for next week.