Crews are installing buoys in the Rio Grande near Eagle Pass as part of a federal effort that could eventually cover more than 500 miles along the river. George Cavazos, acting division chief over law enforcement operations, said the Eagle Pass area will have just under 100 miles of buoys and that more than 6.5 miles have been deployed there. Crews work from sunup to sundown six days a week. Cavazos said the buoys help agents patrol a larger area with less manpower.
In mid-July, flooding swept hundreds of buoys down the river, and international bridges closed as the buoys floated past, according to News 4. Cavazos said Border Patrol recovered and deployed 90% of the buoys that floated away. He did not say how many were swept away in total, and it remains unclear. Customs and Border Protection told News 4 at the time that the contractor was responsible for the buoys. Cavazos said contractors will likely handle maintenance.
About 17 miles of buoys have been installed near Brownsville. Aaron Millan, who runs Brownsville Kayaks, said the barriers send a message of separation between the United States and Mexico. He said many residents of Brownsville view the buoys as an unnecessary expense, and that the city's close ties to Matamoros will remain.