Press Release
Rep. Cuellar Sends Letter to Sec. Johnson, Appropriations Committee Calling for Multi-Agency Border Processing Center to Deal with Influx of Apprehensions
Washington,
June 2, 2014
Today, US Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-TX28) sent a letter to the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Jeh Johnson, the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the Homeland Security, Commerce-Justice-Science, and Labor-Health and Human Services Appropriation Subcommittees calling for the establishment of a multi-agency processing center on the border to deal with the recent influx of apprehensions. Since the beginning of the year, over 140,000 undocumented immigrants have been apprehended at the border, causing a severe strain on the resources of Border Patrol. The full text of Rep. Cuellar’s letter is below and attached to this email: June 2, 2014 The Honorable Harold Rogers The Honorable Nita Lowey Chairman Ranking Member House Appropriations Committee House Appropriations Committee H-305, The Capitol 1016 Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Washington, DC 20515
The Honorable John Carter The Honorable David Price Chairman Ranking Member Subcommittee on Homeland Security Subcommittee on Homeland Security H-310, The Capitol 1016 Longworth House Office Building House Appropriations Committee House Appropriations Committee Washington, DC 20515 Washington, DC 20515
The Honorable Frank Wolf The Honorable Chaka Fattah Chairman Ranking Member Subcommittee on Commerce-Justice-Science Subcommittee on Commerce-Justice-Science H-307, U.S. Capitol 1016 Longworth House Office Building House Appropriations Committee House Appropriations Committee Washington, D.C. 20515 Washington, D.C. 20515
The Honorable Jack Kingston The Honorable Rosa DeLauro Chairman Ranking Member Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services 2448 Rayburn HOB 1016 Longworth HOB House Appropriations Committee House Appropriations Committee Washington, DC 20515 Washington, DC 20515 Ladies and Gentlemen: In recent weeks, the Rio Grande Valley in South Texas has experienced an unprecedented influx of undocumented immigrant apprehensions and detentions, many of which are unaccompanied minors from countries other than Mexico. These crossings have created a resource crisis in the Rio Grande Valley that demands immediate attention from the federal government and the Appropriations Committee. Since the beginning of this year, over 145,000 undocumented immigrants have been apprehended in the Rio Grande Valley sector, a more than 65% increase over the same period of Fiscal Year 2013. If current rates continue, the Rio Grande Valley is expected to have over 240,000 apprehensions for Fiscal Year 2014. On average, over 70% of apprehensions are Other Than Mexicans (OTM) and a large percentage of them are Unaccompanied Children (UAC). Currently, the Rio Grande Valley is apprehending approximately 300 UACs on a daily basis. I represent much of this area in the 28th District of Texas, which stretches from San Antonio in the north to Laredo and the much of the upper Rio Grande Valley. I have had extensive personal conversations with the men and women of Border Patrol in the past few weeks about this ongoing issue and they have laid out the issues straining the resources and personnel of Border Patrol. Every undocumented immigrant that is apprehended while attempting to cross the border must be processed by Border Patrol. With this unprecedented surge in crossings, the Rio Grande Valley is currently at more than 190% of its temporary detention capacity. Those that are detained are then transferred to the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Many others are released with a notice to appear before an immigration judge at a future date. This resource crisis requires a multi-agency response involving the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Department of Justice. Because of the massive influx of immigrants being apprehended at the border, it is necessary to create a central location in which all elements of the adjudication process can be completed. We need to do a better job taking care of the children who are crossing the southern border unaccompanied and we must act immediately to avert a potential humanitarian crisis along the border. I am committed to working with Chairwoman Kay Granger, Ranking Member David Price, and the State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs Appropriations Subcommittee to work with our partners in Mexico and other Central American countries. Thank you for your consideration. If you require further information, do not hesitate to contact me, my legislative director Megan Swearingen, or my legislative assistant Wendell White at 225-1640. Sincerely,
Henry Cuellar, PhD U.S. Congressman Texas District 28
CC: The Honorable Jeh Johnson Secretary United States Department of Homeland Security 301 7th Street SW Washington, D.C. 20528 |