Laredo, TX—Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) released the following statement on migrants being transported into Laredo and other border communities from the Rio Grande Valley:

“The recent surge of migrant apprehensions by U.S. Border Patrol in the Rio Grande Valley has overwhelmed U.S Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) processing capacity, requiring the transport of migrants to Laredo and other border cities in Texas for processing.

“This is a crisis for our local communities. Non-profits and local governments, who are already struggling from the pandemic, are scrounging for COVID-19 tests, food, and housing for these migrants. It is critical that we provide them with emergency resources so they can properly support these migrant children and families.

“I urge the Biden administration to implement a coordinated strategy between federal, state, local governments, NGOs, and private sector transportation companies like Greyhound so our border communities do not continue to shoulder the responsibilities of taking care of migrants during a pandemic.”

View Charts on CBP Enforcement Encounters from FY17-FY21 here.

Read the letter from President and CEO of Greyhound to Department of Homeland Security Secretary, expressing concerns about transporting migrants during the pandemic here.

View Greyhound’s map of migrant destinations in 2019 here.