LULAC National Calls For Federal Criminal Investigation Against Texas Governor Abbot (R) In Connection With The Río Grande Drownings Of Undocumented Mother And Her Two Children Ages 8 And 10 In Eagle Pass

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security confirmed that U.S. Border Patrol agents responding to a distress call by Mexican government officials that a undocumented mother and her two children ages 8 and 10 were in need of help near Shelby Park by the Río Grande in Eagle Pass, Texas were unable to enter a blocked off land by the Texas Military Department soldiers at the border to provide assistance. 

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

January 14, 2024

Eagle Pass, Texas - On Sunday, Domingo García, the National President of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) called for Jaime Ezparza, the U.S. District Attorney in Texas to initiate a full federal criminal investigation against Texas Governor Gregg Abbott (R) in connection with the Río Grande drowning deaths of an undocumented mother and her two children, one female age 8 and one male age 10 by Shelby Park in Eagle Pass, Texas, U.S.A. and the Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico Border crossing.

García in a letter (http://tinyurl.com/ywpudhrw) to Ezparza wrote, "The circumstances surrounding these deaths are not only tragic but also raise serious questions regarding the enforcement of immigration laws and the actions of Texas state officials, including Governor Abbott. It is our understanding that federal Border Patrol agents were prevented from performing their duty to respond to a distress call due to the intervention of Texas state authorities under directives from Governor Greg Abbott." 

"In light of these events, LULAC formally requests that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Department of Justice be called in to conduct a thorough investigation into the events that led to these fatalities. We believe there are grounds to examine potential criminal violations, including but not limited to murder, negligent homicide, and child endangerment." 

On Saturday, U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-TX) in a released statement confirmed that the Texas Military Department soldiers prevented U.S. Border Patrol agents to enter the Shelby Park area to render aid to the undocumented immigrants in distress at the Río Grande River. Cuellar stated, "This is a tragedy, and the state bears responsibility." 

"I recently learned that three migrants - a female adult and two children - drowned in the Rio Grande River near Shelby Park in Eagle Pass.

"Border Patrol learned on Friday, January 12, 2024, at approximately 9:00 P.M. that a group of six migrants were in distress as they attempted to cross the Rio Grande River. Border Patrol attempted to contact the Texas Military Department, the Texas National Guard, and DPS Command Post by telephone to relay the information, but were unsuccessful. Border Patrol agents then made physical contact with the Texas Military Department and the Texas National Guard at the Shelby Park Entrance Gate and verbally relayed the information. However, Texas Military Department soldiers stated they would not grant access to the migrants - even in the event of an emergency - and that they would send a soldier to investigate the situation. 

"Earlier today, Saturday, January 13, 2024, the three migrant bodies were recovered by Mexican authorities.

"Border Patrol personnel were forced out of Shelby Park earlier this week by the Texas National Guard under order of Governor Abbott. In this situation, the Texas Military Department and the Texas National Guard did not grant access to Border Patrol agents to save the migrants."

El Milenio dot com in México reported that Virterma de la Sancha Cerros, 33, and her two children Yorlei Rubí, 10, and Jonathan Agustín Briones de la Sancha, 8, originally from the State of México had drowned and two family members survived the ordeal, they were identified as Mónica de la Sancha Cerros, 30, and her son, Victor Antonio Briones de la Sancha, 10. 

According to Mexican authorities, the family were crossing the Río Grande River and had formed a human chain, but when they reached the middle of the river, one of the children broke the human chain and the strong river currents swept away three of the victims underwater and ultimately drowned as surviving family members watched and cried for help.

Mexico's Ministry of Defense (SEDENA) says, that hyperthermia also contributed to the victims death, because of low temperatures (mid 50's) and the river was cold.

Hispanic News Network U.S.A. (HNNUSA)

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