Ahead of today’s hearing on the Justice Department Lawsuit against Texas, the state moved to the American side of the Rio Grande the floating barrier set to block migrants crossing into the U.S., reports Jeremy Wallace of the Houston Chronicle. 

A recent survey by the International Boundary and Water Commission determined that the buoys barrier was mostly in the Mexican side, supporting Mexico complains. A federal judge in Austin could force Texas to remove the buoys within 10 days, after the hearing, Wallace notes. 

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) said yesterday that they moved the barrier "out of an abundance of caution." Federal government lawyers noted that by moving the barriers, Texas resumed "unauthorized construction activities."  

Early this month, two bodies were found on the buoys, which increased the debate about this measure. The floating barrier is part of Abbott’s Operation Lone Star. Edgar Sandoval of The New York Times writes on how after Gov. Abbott "has tested the legal limits of state action on immigration" — including the floating barrier— some of the initial general support he gained "appears to be waning." 

Separately, also in Texas, a federal lawsuit has been filed against two sheriffs and two state prison wardens on behalf of four Mexican migrants who were arrested under Operation Lone Star and were kept imprisoned for weeks after their criminal trespassing cases were dismissed, reports Uriel J. García of The Texas Tribune. 

"Texas’ cruel border politics and policies are wasteful, inflammatory, and riddled with human and civil rights abuses," said David Donatti of the ACLU of Texas. 

Welcome to Tuesday’s edition of The Forum Daily. I’m Clara Villatoro, the Forum’s strategic communications manager, and the great Forum Daily team also includes Ashling Lee and Katie Lutz. If you have a story to share from your own community, please send it to me at [email protected].  

REPUBLICAN LAWSUIT — This Thursday will start the legal hirings on a Republican lawsuit that is challenging the Biden’s parole program that have allowed around 181,000 people from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela to enter the U.S., report Rebecca Santana and Gisela Salomon of the Associated Press. The lawsuit claims the program goes beyond the administration’s authority and undermines Congress’ power. "I wanted to take this opportunity to save my life," said a Nicaraguan beneficiary of the program. Sponsors of migrants have joined the legal proceedings, Santana and Salomon note. 

BUILDING TRUST — In an op-ed for the Los Angeles Daily News, Santa Monica Chief of Police Ramon Batista writes on how building trust within immigrant communities is crucial to maintain public safety. "The growing prominence of harmful rhetoric in the debate — references to immigrant ‘invasions’ — has further undermined trust. I am concerned it will continue to unnecessarily divide our communities and pose a danger to all of us," Batista writes. The Chief calls Republicans and Democrats to "come together with serious solutions, pairing border security with a pathway to lawful status for members of our communities who contribute to our social fabric and economy every day."  

LOOKING FOR LEADERSHIP — As GOP candidates take the debate stage tomorrow, Forum’s president and CEO Jennie Murray offers an overview on how many of these Republican candidates have previously led on constructive immigration solutions. "[A]mericans favor solutions to harsh and unworkable policies, we are hopeful that candidates draw on their past efforts to be constructive on immigration this election cycle. The debate season offers candidates the opportunity to offer solutions instead of negative rhetoric," Jennie writes. 

‘UNSUNG HEROES’ — An award-winning social venture is now launching a platform that aims to connect buyers to "innovative products by small businesses, the majority of which are founded by women, immigrants, and refugees," writes Christopher Marquis for Forbes. "The ones who are able to create economic mobility for their families despite the challenges facing them... [I] think those entrepreneurs are the true, unsung heroes," said Andrew Leon Hanna, founder of platform Mona. 

Thanks for reading, 

Clara