The reopening of Shelby Park in Eagle Pass, Texas marks a significant change in the local handling of immigration issues. After a year of being closed off due to armed guards and concertina wire, the park is now accessible again as a sign of lowered migrant crossings. Residents are relieved, emphasizing a return to normalcy. The situation reflects shifts in immigration policies at the federal level as political battles continue over immigration enforcement, impacting communities well beyond the border region, including local governance and public sentiment.
The sudden reopening of Shelby Park in Eagle Pass this month was another sign of the changing of the guard in Washington, D.C., being felt far, far beyond the Beltway.
Citing record-low crossings, the state of Texas has quietly abandoned the park gates, rolled up most of the concertina wire there and left only a small crew by the river.
We're happy the park has returned to the city, said the town's mayor, Rolando Salinas Jr.
During the height of the immigration surge under Mr. Biden, when more than 1,000 migrants were crossing a day, Eagle Pass became ground zero for testing Texas' limit in enforcing immigration law.
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