Texas Congressman Henry Cuellar Claims Credit for Controversial Border Buoy Idea

Cuellar, a Democrat, says he proposed the floating barriers years before Governor Abbott implemented them as part of Operation Lone Star.

Representative Henry Cuellar stated he originally suggested the use of floating buoys on the Rio Grande to deter illegal immigration, preferring them over border walls that require private land acquisition.
The buoys, first deployed in 2023 by Governor Greg Abbott, are part of Operation Lone Star, a multi-billion-dollar initiative aimed at addressing migration at the Texas-Mexico border.
Governor Abbott's office and U.S. Border Patrol have both claimed credit for designing and deploying the barriers, with Abbott emphasizing their effectiveness in preventing illegal crossings.
The barriers have faced legal challenges, environmental concerns, and criticism over safety risks, including reports of migrant deaths near the buoys and potential harm to river ecosystems.
Cuellar’s acknowledgment of his role in proposing the buoys introduces a bipartisan element to the debate over border security, as he prepares to discuss broader immigration policies with federal officials.