EAGLE PASS, TEXAS — Immigration rights advocates demand a Department of Justice (DOJ) criminal investigation into an incident where a Texas National Guard soldier fired upon a Mexican citizen in his country’s territory. This incident, last Saturday near the Rio Grande, has exacerbated tensions on an already fraught U.S.-Mexico border.
Mexican authorities and their Texas military counterparts have confirmed that the individual shot was Darwin José García, a 37-year-old native of Veracruz, Mexico. García sustained a leg injury due to the gunshot.
At Tuesday’s Eagle Pass border park press conference, Fernando García, the director of the Border Network for Human Rights (BNHR), voiced his concerns. “It was the worst of the scenarios we warned about,” he stated. The event was attended by several representatives of Texan organizations advocating for the rights of immigrants.
The incident brings concerns regarding Operation Lone Star, an initiative Texas Governor Greg Abbott launched in March 2021. This operation has allowed National Guard soldiers to be stationed at the border since December 2022, leading to heightened tension and reported abuses.
García’s call to the DOJ wasn’t the first. He mentioned that this is the second time such an incident has occurred and highlighted the need for scrutiny.
Adding to the complexity, an anonymous Customs and Border Protection (CBP) source spoke to The Washington Post, suggesting that the National Guard soldier acted in response to a stabbing incident. However, the source did admit that the events surrounding the shooting are muddled and details are “confusing.”
The advocates remain undeterred in their efforts against the Abbott administration. They emphasized their commitment to preserving the community’s rights and shared their success in reopening the Eagle Pass Park. The park had previously been closed to allow National Guard patrols.
Furthermore, activists are calling for removing buoys and barbed wire installed on the Rio Grande in the Eagle Pass region this year. These additions have sparked controversy among the local Mexican community and led to official protests from the Mexican government and a lawsuit from the U.S. Justice Department.
As tensions escalate, all eyes are on the U.S.-Mexico border, with many waiting to see how the DOJ will respond.
