Washington, D.C.— U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) released FBI crime statistics from 2021, demonstrating that border communities are safer than non-border major cities in the United States.

“As someone who lives and raises their family on the border, I have found the rhetoric about our southern border offers little resemblance to what is on the ground,” said Congressman Cuellar. “Year after year, FBI statistics show that crime rates are lower on the border than non-border major cities.”

 Congressman Cuellar continued: “The reality of our border communities is simple: our crime rates are low, and our residents feel safe because of the efforts of our local, state, and federal law enforcement. As a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, I will continue to fund programs that support our law enforcement and protect our communities. I would like to thank the dedicated law enforcement officers and local leaders at our southern border who keep our communities safe."

 In 2021, Dayton, Ohio’s murder rate was 21.5 r every 100,000 residents, according to the FBI’s annual Crime in the United States report; meanwhile in border communities like Laredo and El Paso, Texas, it is less than 5. In addition, Tulsa, Oklahoma, had 1,106.7 violent crimes for every 100,000 residents. Comparatively, Rio Grande City, Texas, had 248.3 violent crimes for every 100,000 residents.