McAllen (WBAP/KLIF News) – Senator John Cornyn led a tour of the Rio Grande Valley Monday with several other lawmakers. Cornyn posted a picture on twitter of Senator Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina) being led along the US side of the Rio Grande.
Cornyn also met with the regional Border Patrol Chief and toured a house where immigrants were held.
While Cornyn led Republican lawmakers along the Rio Grande near McAllen, Democratic lawmakers held a roundtable discussion.
“For generations, the United States and Mexico have been strong partners,” says former HUD Secretary Julian Castro. “That partnership has led to greater economic opportunity, better security and more prosperity for both nations.”
Castro spoke with Representative Filemon Vela (D-TX) and Rosa DeLauro (D-CT).
“A policy that separates families is an inhumane policy,” DeLauro says. “Congress needs to pass comprehensive immigration reform.”
Senator Ted Cruz toured the Rio Grande Valley Friday and Saturday; House Speaker Paul Ryan is scheduled to visit the area Wednesday.
The visits follow Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly signing guidelines that expand the pool of immigrants prioritized for removal, speed up deportation hearings and call for more enforcement agents to be hired.
“The surge of immigration at the southern border has overwhelmed federal agencies and resources and has created a significant national security vulnerability to the United States,” Kelly writes in a statement.
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