The move by Gov. Greg Abbott, flouting a federal challenge, signaled that Texas expects to have a freer hand on the border under President-elect Donald J. Trump.

Texas on Wednesday is expected to begin erecting more water buoy barriers to deter illegal immigration. With the additional buoys anticipated to go up in locations that have seen high levels of illegal border crossings,

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) plans to expand buoy barriers across the Rio Grande to stop migrants from crossing the southern border despite border crossings dropping in the state. State crews were surveying the area near Shelby Park of the river and barriers are expected to be placed in heavy crossing areas as early as Wednesday,