Authorities prepare to use “whatever force is necessary” to defend international bridges between Texas and Mexico from U.S. based militia groups. The preparations by Texas law enforcement agencies are in response to recently discovered plans by militia groups to attempt closing several international bridges. The militia groups' plans are intended to be protests against the federal government's failure to secure the border between the U.S. and Mexico. The plans call for militia groups to begin blocking traffic on an undisclosed number of international bridges in the Rio Grande Valley on Sept. 20th, 2014.
“We will not allow these groups to disrupt the economic commerce of our region and we are prepared to use force to keep the bridges open,” said one law enforcement officer who spoke with Breitbart Texas on the condition of anonymity. The officer explained that the bridges are not symbols of illegal immigration, but rather, they are vital parts of the local economy. “We cannot allow them to be shut down by lawless behavior from people who claim to be promoting the rule of law.”
Breitbart Texas spoke with several law enforcement professionals about whether the reported plans by militia groups to close the bridges were true and, if so, what the law enforcement response to the planned incidents would be. All of the agencies with officers who spoke with Breitbart Texas explained they believe the threat to be credible. The officers indicated that local, state, and federal law enforcement are working together to deliver an appropriate response.
“The international bridges are federal property,” said another confidential source. “We will back up the agents of the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol in defending these properties and make sure the lawful flow of people and commerce continues.”
The region is currently jammed packed with law enforcement. In addition to the normal compliment of local, state, and federal police, there are currently surge operations in place that have brought in over 2,000 people to protect the region; Ranging from additional border patrol officers, to the surge of Texas Department of Public Safety troopers, to the recent deployment of 1,000 members of the Texas National Guard.
Rio Grande City Mayor Ruben Villarreal said he supports the militia member’s right to express their opinion according to a report by KRGV television late last week. However, he expressed concern about the group’s intent. "What can we expect? I don't know. The unknown becomes an issue that we really got to prepare for," Villarreal said.
"If they're here to block traffic, to be a hindrance between traffic and the port of entry, that causes a problem. It's a huge safety issue," Villarreal said.
Villarreal also expressed his concern about the economic aspects of the bridges. “A port of entry is not just a port of entry for people; it's also a port of entry for commerce. There are hundreds of millions of dollars that transact at the ports of entry. If their intent is to cause a disruption at a port of entry, it's not only a matter of people, it's a matter of commerce as well," he said.
Other’s expressed concerns about potential lawless behavior of the militia groups after one militia member, who was shot at by a Border Patrol agent, was discovered to be a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. “How can we expect them to faithfully follow the law if they allow a felon in their ranks to break the law by carrying a prohibited weapon,” said Cameron County Sheriff Omar Lucio in a phone conversation with Breitbart Texas last week.
Across the region, law enforcement officials expressed unity in their plans to protect the bridges and the economic commerce they bring to the region. All expressed resolve to use an appropriate level of force, if necessary, to maintain the free flow of legal migration and commerce across the bridges.
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