Services

My Tour of the McAllen Border Patrol Station 

I met with state and local officials from the Rio Grande Valley at the McAllen Border Patrol facility. We discussed effective strategies to address the influx of unaccompanied minors crossing the southern border that included policy change and better collaboration with other national governments.

This past weekend, I asked state and local officials from the Rio Grande Valley to join me in a tour so they could see firsthand the crisis we are witnessing on the border. In speaking to Border Patrol, they commented to me that we cannot enforce ourselves out of this problem –we need a change of policy and we need to find long term solutions.   I want to thank the men and women of Border Patrol for work they have done in the face of an extremely difficult situation. 

The United States needs to do a better job in working with Mexico to strengthen their southern border and to work with the Central American countries of Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador.  In the past few days, I have personally spoken to the Ambassadors of Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras and the Embassy of Mexico and I will continue working with them to address the problem jointly with a shared responsibility.

My Meeting with U.S. Census Bureau in Laredo

My office hosted a presentation with the U.S. Census Bureau, City of Laredo, and Webb County officials. We discussed the opportunities for keeping updated community information which could provide benefits to TX28.

The Census is conducted every ten years but communities like ours in South Texas are growing and changing quickly.  The numbers recorded in 2010 may not necessarily reflect the reality of our cities today in 2014 or in the future in 2016 or 2018.  I look forward to working together with our local counties and cities to ensure we are using every tool at our disposal to advocate for our community.

Recognizing Adkins Veteran 

I presented over 16 medals and awards to Adkins veteran, Arthur Wildberger, who served during the Vietnam era and during the Desert Storm Operation.

This week, I presented more than 16 medals and awards to Adkins veteran, Arthur Wildberger.  Mr. Wildberger served more than 23 years in the United States Navy during the Vietnam era and was attached to the 3^rd Marine Division during the Desert Storm Operation. 

Mr. Wildberger contacted my office to inquire about medals and ribbons he did not receive when he retired.  After following up with the Department of the Navy, the staff in my San Antonio district office were able to procure the awards Mr. Wildberger deserves.  It gives me great honor to present these medals, ribbons, stars, and pin to Mr. Wildberger. His valiant service to our country has not gone unnoticed and his bravery while fighting for our freedom is being recognized today.

​I addressed the ribbon cutting of a new DPS border safety inspection facility at the Colombia Bridge in Laredo. This will help ensure safe passages at the busiest inland port of entry in the U.S.

I met with members of the San Antonio chapter of Veterans Association of Real Estate Professionals. It is always good to keep in touch with organizations based in TX28 and discuss our shared goals of fostering economic growth.

Sarah Castro, graduating senior from J.W. Nixon High School in Laredo, visited with my office in Washington, D.C.

Twitter Updates

​I met with Border Patrol agents at the McAllen facility. We discussed how to solve issues along border security.