A federal appeals court has handed Texas a significant victory in its ongoing battle to secure the southern border. On Wednesday, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Texas has the right to construct razor wire fencing to deter illegal immigration, a move that underscores the state’s resolve to tackle the border crisis head-on. Governor Greg Abbott wasted no time celebrating the decision, taking to social media to remind everyone that President Biden’s efforts to remove the barriers were misguided and ineffective. The Lone Star State, it seems, is not backing down in its fight to defend its borders.
The court’s 2-1 decision marks a turning point in Texas’ lawsuit against the Biden administration for what the state has called “trespassing” along the Rio Grande near Eagle Pass. By reversing a lower court’s ruling from November 2023, the appellate court has given Texas the green light to continue its razor-wire installations without interference from federal authorities. Circuit Judge Kyle Duncan, a Trump appointee, noted that Texas was well within its rights to protect its property and that the state’s actions did not interfere with U.S. Border Patrol operations. In essence, the ruling draws a line in the sand—or razor wire, as it were—between state sovereignty and federal overreach.
The court’s reasoning also took aim at the Biden administration’s objections, dismissing concerns that Texas’ border measures would harm U.S.-Mexico relations or hinder immigration enforcement. Judge Duncan emphasized the importance of protecting property rights from unwarranted government interference and ensuring that federal actions do not trample on the rights of landowners. For Texas, this is not just about border security—it’s about standing up against what many see as a federal government that has lost control of its own immigration policies.
Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton called the decision a “huge win for Texas,” highlighting the state’s determination to take matters into its own hands where the federal government has failed. The ruling affirms that states like Texas can assert their rights to defend their borders, especially when Washington’s policies leave communities vulnerable. Abbott echoed this sentiment, reiterating that the razor wire barrier is not only staying but expanding to fill gaps left by federal inaction.
This victory is yet another chapter in the ongoing clash between Texas and the Biden administration over border security. While the White House continues to fumble its response to the border crisis, Texas is proving that states can—and will—step up when the federal government falls short. The court’s decision sends a clear message: if Washington won’t do its job, the Lone Star State will do it for them, one coil of razor wire at a time.
