Texas Congressmen want officials to focus efforts on border security

By Peter Zampa

WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - Congress members from Texas are once again expressing concerns about activity at their borders. Congressmen Will Hurd (R-TX) and Henry Cuellar (D-TX) say U.S. border security officials need to focus their efforts to relax the current strain in their districts.

Hurd and Cuellar say threats at the border change daily, so the methods to combat these threats need to evolve as well. And no, they do not think building a massive wall is the answer. Congressman Hurd is talking about the cooperation needed to ensure security at the border, while still increasing trade with southern neighbors.

"We can ensure that we have enough customs officials, that we have enough folks at our borders so that we can make sure we’re facilitating that movement back and forth,” said Hurd.

He says building a wall is the least effective, and most costly method for keeping out criminals.

"If we have intelligence-led operations, if we focus on the 19 criminal organizations that are operating in Mexico, and work with our partner organizations, we can stop the bad guys before they actually get to our border,” said Hurd.

Congressman Cuellar says Cubans flocking to his district have been a particular strain. Because of an old piece of legislation, The Cuban Adjustment Act of 1966, Cuellar says Cubans have an easier path into the U.S. and staying there.

"In one year they become legal residents,” said Cuellar. "In about three years they become naturalized citizens. Nobody else gets that kind of treatment. What I’m saying is we need to provide some fairness in the immigration system.”

Cuellar says the influx of Cuban nationals is log jamming his district. He thinks all nationalities deserve an equal shot at staying in the U.S.

"If they want to claim asylum, or they want to claim refugee status, or credible fear, let them go before an immigration judge and make their case. No matter where they’re from,” said Cuellar.

Both lawmakers say they’ll continue to work with federal officials and officials in their districts in the fight for better security.

http://www.graydc.com/content/news/Texas-Congressmen-want-officials-to-focus-efforts-on-border-security-374798921.html