New customs chief tries to cope with immigrant surge By David McCumber August 13, 2014 | Updated: August 13, 2014 5:38pm WASHINGTON - R. Gil Kerlikowske is not all about the trappings. "Why would anybody have an office this big?" the new commissioner of Customs and Border Protection grumbles, gesturing at the cavernous expanse of thick blue carpet and walnut furniture in the Ronald… Read more »

The number of unaccompanied children streaming into the U.S. from Central America has fallen sharply in the past month, according to figures released by the Department of Homeland Security.   The number of unaccompanied children has been cut nearly in half, from 10,628 in June to 5,508 in July, and the number of adults with children has fallen even more sharply, from 16,330 in… Read more »

A conservative-leaning Texas Democrat is seeking a meeting with President Obama in search of a bipartisan solution to the southern border crisis. Rep. Henry Cuellar, a Blue Dog from a Texas border district, had rankled many in his party this month when he was the only Democrat to back the Republicans' $694 million border package, including language making it easier to deport the Central… Read more »

Washington, D.C. -- Last week, Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-TX28) sent a letter to President Obama requesting a meeting with himself and other Members of Congress to discuss what policy changes and funding needs are necessary to resolve the humanitarian crisis at the border. “It is time for us to put partisan politics aside, lead on this issue, and find solutions that are acceptable… Read more »

WASHINGTON - Jose Luis Zelaya trekked to a Western Union office inside a Houston Fiesta Food Market last week with one of his family's regular $100 money transfers. It was for the ailing grandmother who had helped him flee Honduras when he was 13 to find his mother working in Texas. "She helped me get here," said Zelaya, an undocumented student who recently was granted a temporary stay… Read more »

Aug. 8, 2014 | Texas congressmen discuss immigration surge Aired: 08/08/2014 Two Texas Democratic congressmen have stood out in the debate over what to do about the surge of unaccompanied children arriving at the U.S. border. Rep. Joaquin Castro challenged a decision to send up to a thousand National Guardsman to the border. Rep. Henry Cuellar coauthored a bill that would have… Read more »

Texas Tribune: Congressional Inaction Leaves Border Communities Hoping for Funds Congress left towns and counties on the Texas-Mexico border hanging last week when it adjourned without sending a supplemental budget measure to the president. The local governments have used their own resources since last spring to care for thousands of undocumented immigrants flooding into their… Read more »

WOAI: Dynamic of Immigration Crisis Changing as Shelters Close Posted Tuesday, August 5th 2014 @ 6am The closing of shelters for illegal immigrant unaccompanied minor children at Lackland Air Force Base and elsewhere show the changing dynamics of the months long border crossing crisis, officials tell News Radio 1200 WOAI.   U.S. Rep Henry Cuellar (D-Laredo), who has been a leader… Read more »

Texas Dem. warns partisan battle over border aid 'could be just a warmup' U.S. Border Patrol agents load a group of adult and minor immigrants onto a van near Anzalduas Park, southwest of McAllen, on June 11. U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar warned agencies dealing with the border influx will have to make "some painful choices" since Congress didn't pass a bill to send them aid before it went to… Read more »

Tonight, the House of Representatives passed border supplemental funding that gives state and local governments and law enforcement affected by the current border crisis the opportunity to apply for reimbursements.  Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-TX28) worked to include this provision in the bill and last week sent a letter to the Appropriations Committee and the Federal Emergency… Read more »