Texas has suspended blocking federal access to several kilometers of the US-Mexico border until this Wednesday.

EAGLE PASS, Texas (CNN) — The influx of migrants continues to overwhelm authorities along the border between Mexico and the United States and in American cities where many asylum seekers are sent.

These are the latest events:

The Biden administration gave Texas until late Wednesday to block U.S. Border Patrol access to 2.5 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border, including the area where a woman and two children drowned after state officials blocked federal agents last week. The letter to the Department of Homeland Security was obtained exclusively by CNN on Sunday.

The letter to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican, says the state's actions are “disruptive” and unconstitutional, and cites deaths near the Rio Grande in Eagle — near a city park — as the latest in the current immigration crisis. Pass, where state officials have erected fences to keep federal agents out.

The Department of Homeland Security warns that if Texas does not confirm a “cease and desist,” it will “refer all other options to restore Border Patrol access to the border to the Department of Justice for appropriate action and consideration.” “His efforts to block Border Patrol access in and around the Shelby Park area and remove all barriers to access to the U.S.-Mexico border,” the letter stated.

“Texas' failure to provide border access despite imminent danger to life and safety continues,” said the letter from Department of Homeland Security general counsel Jonathan Meyer.

“Texas has demonstrated that even under the most demanding circumstances, it will not allow the Border Patrol access to the border to conduct law enforcement and emergency response operations.”

Wednesday's deadline is the latest sign of rising tensions between state and federal officials as the White House and lawmakers question Texas policies, including a new law that makes illegal entry into the state a state crime. The issue has spilled over into states where Texas officials have sent immigrants or those who arrived in other ways, and has led to a surge of anti-immigrant rhetoric online.

The Supreme Court is also weighing border access

The Biden administration has asked the Supreme Court to intervene after Texas sued Border Patrol agents over the practice of removing razor wire placed by the state along a stretch of the border near Eagle Pass. An appeals court ordered authorities to stop removing the fence while legal appeals are resolved, and the administration has asked the high court to urgently intervene to quash the order.

Friday's drownings “underscore Texas' commitment to efforts to exercise full border and land control. In connection with that case.

“It is impossible to know what would have happened if the Border Patrol had access to the area, including its surveillance trucks,” Attorney General Elizabeth Preloger wrote in the brief.

“However, at the very least, the Border Patrol would have had the opportunity to take all available steps to fulfill its responsibilities and assist its counterparts in the Mexican government in conducting the rescue operation,” he continued. “Texas made that impossible.”

The Texas Department of the Army, for its part, said at the time Border Patrol agents requested access to the site Friday night, “Drowned, Mexican officials are recovering the bodies, and the Texas Patrol “Fronteriza revealed these facts to TMD. personnel on site.”

“At no time did TMT security personnel on the riverbank observe any immigrants in distress or did TMT turn away any illegal immigrants from the United States during this period,” the Texas Military Department (TMD) said. its summary in English). “Furthermore, at no time was TMT notified of any bodies in the Shelby Park area, nor was TMT notified of any bodies found on the U.S. side of the border in connection with this situation.”

Far-right terms are used in calling for a border

A standoff between the federal government and the state of Texas at the border has prompted calls on social media for people to travel to Eagle Pass as a sign of protest from a group known for using demonic rhetoric and mingling with extremists.

One member's online video said it urged “patriots” across the country to come to Eagle Pass to “encourage elected officials to uphold their pledge to protect the border against 'foreign invasion.' Used to indicate a boundary crisis.

He says an owner will allow the group to set up tents, caravans and motorhomes.

Yet these “patriots” are misinformed about border security and immigration policy, says Texas state Rep. Eddie Morales Jr., a Democrat who represents 11 West Texas districts, including the city of Eagle Pass. Instead, they should camp outside Congress and demand lawmakers take action on immigration, he said.

“Republicans now control the House of Representatives, and if they were really interested in solving this problem, they would rush through the immigration and border security bill by tomorrow,” Morales said.

Maverick County Sheriff Tom Schmerber is monitoring the potential influx of people from across the country this weekend, and he told CNN he is concerned about the safety of the area because of the heated rhetoric surrounding immigration.

Similar groups using “Patriot” as part of their names have emerged since 2020 in Donald Trump's bid to create a third major political party, the Anti-Defamation League CNN reported in a report. While such groups are not inherently extremist, they engage in rhetoric, demonization of far-right political causes, and sometimes intersect with extremist groups and movements, he said.

New Republican governor wants reports on undocumented immigrants

A state away, Louisiana's new Republican governor has ordered state agencies to report any detentions of undocumented immigrants or funds spent on them, according to an executive order signed Friday.

“The cost of illegal immigration in this state falls squarely on the shoulders of Louisiana workers,” Gov. Jeff Landry said in a statement Tuesday. “This order will analyze data to determine the financial burden our citizens are forced to bear because of those who do not follow the law.”

“Louisiana will always welcome legal immigrants, but taxpayers will no longer be able to pay taxes to those who violate and defy the law.”

Governor Jeff Landry speaks Monday at the start of a special legislative session in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Credit: Michael Johnson/Pool/The Advocate/AP

The heads of each state's executive branch must submit a report to the governor's office within 120 days detailing “the use of public funds directly or indirectly to or for the benefit of illegal aliens.”

The governor directs the commissioner of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections and the superintendent of the Louisiana State Police to submit monthly reports on the number of people “accused or convicted” and whether they are documented or undocumented. As per order.

Authorities are ordered to “routinely publish” data on “arrests and convictions of illegal aliens,” their nationality, the crime they committed, and whether they were charged or convicted. “Detained Undocumented Immigrants and Where They Are Arrested.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

— CNN's Melissa Alonso, Devan Cole and Priscilla Alvarez contributed to this report.