Texas Gov. Greg Abbott secured a major legal win this week as a federal appeals court ruled against the Biden administration’s efforts to remove razor wire barriers at the southern border. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals sided with Texas, allowing the state to maintain its fencing as part of a broader border security initiative.
“BREAKING: the federal court of appeals just ruled that Texas has the right to build the razor wire border wall,” Abbott shared on X. “We continue adding more razor wire border barrier.”
The ruling is a key moment in Texas’ Operation Lone Star, which began in 2021 to address illegal immigration. Critics, including federal officials, argue that the razor wire causes injuries to migrants and disrupts federal patrol efforts. Texas maintains that the barriers are essential to curbing illegal crossings.
The legal battle reached the Supreme Court earlier this year, where a 5-4 decision allowed federal agents to cut the wire. Texas countered by deploying additional fencing, escalating tensions with the Biden administration.
Attorney General Ken Paxton celebrated the ruling, calling it a “HUGE WIN FOR TEXAS.” The state argues that the federal government has failed to secure the border, forcing Texas to take independent action.
With President-elect Donald Trump set to take office in January, Abbott anticipates federal support for expanded border security measures, including deportations and physical barriers.
This ruling solidifies Texas’ ability to enforce its border policies and highlights the growing divide between state and federal approaches to immigration.
