Federal officials and a Texas congressman said National Guard soldiers deployed by Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott did not allow Border Patrol agents to attempt to rescue the migrants.
Federal agents, Cuellar added, unsuccessfully attempted to contact Texas state officials about the emergency by phone.
Then, when Border Patrol agents went to the park and asked to be allowed to render aid to the migrants, they were denied entry, according to Cuellar.
In a statement Saturday, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said Texas officials obstructed Border Patrol's attempts to rescue the migrants on Friday.
"In responding to a distress call from the Mexican government, Border Patrol agents were physically barred by Texas officials from entering the area.".
Federal officials said Texas has used armed soldiers, vehicles and fences to physically block Border Patrol agents and at least one federal National Guard soldier from accessing roughly 2.5 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border.
One of the concerns raised by federal officials in a filing before the Supreme Court was that Texas' actions would prevent Border Patrol from helping migrants in distress. »
