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Texas Tribune The Brief: A Bipartisan Texas Effort to Address Border Crisis
Washington,
July 15, 2014
The Brief: A Bipartisan Texas Effort to Address Border Crisis· by John Reynolds · July 15, 2014 US Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-TX 28th District) speaks with Rep. Doug Miller R-New Braunfels, during a visit to the Texas Capitol on February 19th, 2013. The Big ConversationA bipartisan effort by two Texas lawmakers — GOP U.S. Sen. John Cornyn and Democratic U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar — grabbed headlines as having the potential to break the logjam as to what to do about the surge in unaccompanied minors across the border. "The new legislation would treat all unaccompanied migrant children crossing the border equally, allowing for voluntary reunification with their families, whether they come from Mexico, Central America or any other region," reported the Houston Chronicle's Kevin Diaz. "Several top Republicans in Congress have said the policy change would be a condition for approving a White House funding request for the border." The Hill's Cristina Marcos and Peter Schroeder added the name of another Texas lawmaker as deeply involved in finding a solution. "Rep. Kay Granger (R-Texas), the [House GOP immigration] working group’s leader, will argue that child immigrants from Central America should be subject to the same rules as those from Mexico," they wrote. "A source close to Granger said the group will also advise that National Guard troops be sent to the border, a longstanding demand from Republicans. Granger will offer the presentation at a pivotal conference meeting expected to signal the party's direction on the issue." As Diaz writes, though, opposition can be found from both the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and from Republicans who disagree with Obama's call for $3.7 billion in emergency funding for the border. Also, immigration advocates question whether the proposal gives unaccompanied minors enough time to seek asylum. The Cornyn-Cuellar legislation would give them seven days. |