However, not everyone is thrilled by the action that Gov. Abbott is taking to try to get a handle on the out-of-control border crisis raging along the state’s boundaries. “What Abbott is doing is conducting an irresponsible experiment at the expense of federal and international law,” Steven Mumme, a scholar at the Baker Institute Center for the United States and Mexico that specializes in transboundary environmental and natural resources management along the U.S.-Mexico border, went on to say about the new buoys being constructed.

According to the Texas Standard, Mumme then stated that the new floating barriers would alter the flow of the river, which is illegal, and would ultimately make changes to the boundary between the U.S. and Mexico. It remains to be seen if Biden or another federal group goes after Gov. Abbott and Texas because of that, or if it will stay silent in the hope of the border crisis calming down without his administration having to deal with it.

Over the course of the last week, a total of four individuals drowned in the Eagle Pass area, attempting to cross the river. Some individuals are concerned the barriers will make rescue missions more difficult. But it could also stop individuals from attempting to cross the first place, obviating the need for most rescue missions. It remains to be seen what happens on that front.