In compliance with President Biden's executive orders, I received notification from U.S. Customs and Border Protection that all border wall construction as well as negotiations for border wall land have been halted. This means that all CBP contractors have now been formally notified by CBP Procurement to pause construction activities on CBP self-executed projects; additionallly, real estate acquisition activities such as surveys and negotiations with landowners have been placed on hold in coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

This is a promising step in our work to halt construction of the ineffective and wasteful border wall and undo the damage that borderlands have experienced these past four years. However, our work continues. I remain steadfast in my commitment to working with the new administration until every border wall contract is terminated and all construction crews leave our border communities.

An estimated five million immigrants, including 202,500 DACA recipients and 131,300 TPS holders, have stepped up to serve our country in a time of crisis by working on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic. I joined my colleagues on a letter calling for the inclusion of of immigrant essential workers, Dreamers and TPS holders in the COVID-19 reconciliation recovery bill. Not only have these individuals helped keep us safe and healthy, but they will be critical in our economic recovery. It is time that they be able to apply for U.S. citizenship.

Pictured is a portion of the letter to Speaker Pelosi and Chairman Yarmuth.

On Saturday, January 30th, my Outreach Coordinator, Nicolas Cruz, attended the City of Palmview food distribution. To help supply the event, Iglesia Del Pueblo and the North Bridge Foundation donated over one thousand packages of food to the city. While there, Nicolas was able to assist in distributing these packages to families in need. 

Pictured is the City of Palmview distribution event.

On Wednesday, January 27th, Nicolas attended the Hidalgo County Water Control and Improvement District 19 Border Levee Tour. During the tour, the general manager of HCWCID, Oscar Gonzalez, showed the environmental damages inflicted by border wall construction. Now that construction has halted, my office is monitoring the situation closely to ensure that border communities are able to recover. 

Pictured is part of the HCWCID tour.

On Sunday, January 24th, my Constituent Services Representative/Outreach Coordinator in my San Antonio office, Kendall Hayes, presented a Certificate of Recognition to Mrs. Kitchen Soul Food. Cheryl Thompson and her family celebrated the grand opening of their establishment. Next time I’m in Windcrest, I look forward to stopping by! 

Pictured from Left to Right: Windcrest EDC VP George Alva, EDC President Jennifer Newman, EDC Executive Director Mario Hernandez, Mayor Dan Reese, Restaurant Owner Cheryl Thompson, Kendall Hayes, and City Councilman Wes Manning. 

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children - or better known as WIC - serves low-income pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, infants, and children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk by providing nutritious foods to supplement diets, information on healthy eating including breastfeeding promotion and support, and referrals to health care.

As a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, I helped secured $6 billion for this critical program in this years Appropriations Act.

For more information on eligibility and the application process, click here.