Today, Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-TX28) announced that the Appropriations Committee has approved almost $78 million in additional funds for Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to address the issue of border overcrowding and the influx children migrants crossing the southern border. 

Rep. Cuellar brought his concerns regarding the ongoing situation at the Texas-Mexico border to the Committee during the Department of Homeland Security Subcommittee markup. He then worked with Chairman John Carter (R-TX) and Ranking Member David Price (D-NC) to ensure the increased funding for CBP and ICE.

To view Rep. Cuellar’s full remarks to the Committee, click HERE:

The Committee adopted a manager’s amendment by voice vote that would add $68 million to its previous funding level for CBP salaries and expenses, $3.6 million for CBP construction and facilities management, and $5.7 million for ICE salaries and expenses. 

“In recent weeks there has been a surge of undocumented immigrants from Central America attempting to cross the border into the United States,” said Congressman Cuellar.  “This is especially true in the district which I represent in South Texas.  Many of these individuals are unaccompanied immigrant children who are being smuggled into the United States by criminal organizations.

Over 70% of these apprehensions are of individuals from countries other than Mexico, and approximately one-third of those are unaccompanied alien children.   Over 140,000 undocumented immigrants have been apprehended since the beginning of the fiscal year in the Rio Grande Valley alone. Approximately 300 unaccompanied alien children are apprehended every day at the border. As of late last week, CBP had over 2,000 unaccompanied alien children in their custody.

The men and women in green who guard the border, along with the men and women of ICE are doing an outstanding job given the circumstances. However, this recent influx of migrants is threatening to overwhelm these agencies, creating a resource and humanitarian crisis. 

But providing additional funds to DHS is only one part of the two pronged approach to solve this problem. Because the undocumented immigrants apprehended are Central American, the problem is bigger and more systemic than what our Border Patrol can control.  We must also work with our partners in Mexico to secure their southern border to prevent individuals from crossing through their country to get to the United States. I am committed to also working with Chairwoman Granger and Ranking Member Lowey on the State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs Subcommittee to find ways to provide assistance to Mexico.

We need to provide these agencies with the resources they need not only to secure our borders and keep our communities safe, but to provide for the safety and proper care of these undocumented immigrants, especially the children.

Again I thank Chairman Carter and Ranking Member Price for the additional funding included in the manager’s amendment.”