Congress left Washington, D.C., Aug. 1 for a month-long recess, without having passed an immigration bill addressing the porous U.S.-Mexico border and humanitarian crisis.
Figures compiled by the federal Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Customs and Border Protection division show 57,500 “unaccompanied alien children” have been apprehended and processed since October 2013, the majority in the Rio Grande Valley. While President Obama’s request to Congress for $3.7 billion in emergency funding remains pending, the governor’s office said the state of Texas will tap available funds to pay the cost of deploying 1,000 national guard troops along the border to assist in law enforcement operations. The cost to do that is estimated at $12 million a month.
Volunteer organizations are delivering support to help care for mothers with small children and unaccompanied minors from Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador who have crossed the border to escape gang violence and poverty. Aid comes in the form of food, clothing, medical supplies, school supplies and legal assistance.
On July 25, U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-McAllen, sent letters to House Appropriations Chairman Hal Rogers, R-Kentucky, and Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Craig Fugate requesting financial assistance and reimbursement for communities affected by the current border humanitarian crisis. Included in Cuellar’s correspondence to both officials were letters from the City of McAllen, City of Laredo and Webb County Sheriff’s Office detailing costs incurred by each entity.
• “Since the border humanitarian crisis began, local governments, non-profit organizations, law enforcement and community partners have been shouldering a large and unexpected cost,” Cuellar said, adding, “These communities have expended hard-earned taxpayer dollars in support of law enforcement and community efforts to address the surge of unaccompanied minors crossing the border. These communities along the border, which I represent, have taken it upon themselves to provide support where they can. They understand these children are coming to the U.S. border and need care. Our local governments and non-profits understand our federal law enforcement are stretched thin during this surge and they have stepped up to provide resources and assist where they can.”
Ed Sterling works for the Texas Press Association and follows the Legislature for the organization.
edsterling@texaspress.com
