The Ongoing Border Crisis in McAllen, Texas
MCALLEN, Texas (KTRK) – The border crisis continues to be a major concern in Washington DC, with discussions in the House and Senate about linking border funding to aid for Ukraine and Israel. In order to gain a firsthand understanding of the situation, a bipartisan delegation of Texas lawmakers, including ABC13, traveled to McAllen.
A Glimpse of the Crisis
During our tour, Eyewitness News witnessed a group of 22 migrants turning themselves in at the wall. Among them were men, women, and young children, with the youngest being just 16 months old and still in pajamas. After their encounter at the wall, they were transported by bus to one of the processing centers in the region. If they claimed asylum, they would likely be released and allowed to stay in the United States until a court decision is made, which could take years.
This process repeats itself night after night, leaving evidence of illegal crossings throughout the border towns along the 1,254-mile stretch where Texas meets Mexico. In November alone, there were over 111,000 encounters between migrants and Customs and Border Protection in Texas. These migrants come from various regions including Central and South America, China, Russia, and the Middle East.
Perspectives on the Crisis
Chris Cabrera, a long-time Border Patrol agent with the national union, provided ABC13 with a tour and shared his perspective on the issue. He compared the situation to an overflowing sink, questioning whether one should turn off the water or simply mop the floor.
Leading the bipartisan congressional delegation is Chairman Michael McCaul, who represents parts of Houston, College Station, and Austin. He emphasized the importance of addressing national security concerns with a unified voice and recognized the impact of the crisis on the entire country.
Joining Chairman McCaul is Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz, who believes that this is an American issue affecting all citizens, from Brownsville and McAllen, Texas, to New York City.
Henry Cuellar, the lone Democrat in the delegation, highlighted how border towns have long been aware of the challenges posed by illegal migration. He noted that people’s perspectives change when the issue is in their own backyard, as seen in cities like New York, Chicago, and DC.
Randy Weber, a Republican member of the delegation, expressed his hope for decisive action from Congress. He believes that the American people are becoming increasingly aware of the gravity of the situation.
Seeking Solutions
The delegation’s journey extends beyond the border, as they travel to Mexico City in search of assistance in preventing migrants from reaching the border in the first place.
