Federal court allows Texas’ buoy barrier in Rio Grande to stop illegal crossings to temporarily stay

A federal appeals court ruled that Texas' floating barrier on a section of the Rio Grande river, to prevent illegal border crossings, to temporarily stay in place.

The ruling in the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday came on day after a judge ordered the buoy be removed. 

The so-called "stay" will allow the buoys to remain in place as related legal challenges continue. 

Texas installed the buoy barrier in early July, prompting a rapid challenge from the Justice Department and protests from the Mexican government.

Texas GOP Gov. Greg Abbott has voted to take the case to the country's highest court.

"Don't think the Travis Co. Court will be the end of it," Abbott said in July. "This is going to the Supreme Court. Texas has a constitutional right to secure our border."

The barrier was installed near Eagle Pass, Texas, a hotspot for illegal border crossings.

On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge David Ezra of Texas ordered that the state move the barrier to the river bank by Sept. 15.

She also said that buoys were a threat to migrants' safety and relations between the U.S. and Mexico.

The buoy barrier is one of several efforts by Texas to combat the surge in illegal immigration across the southern border under the Biden administration.