Texas Border Business
EDINBURG – Hidalgo County Commissioners Court extended a local state of disaster declaration on Tuesday due to the continued threat of COVID-19 that may be present among the surge of migrants seeking asylum in Hidalgo County.
The Order will be effective immediately and will remain in effect until terminated by Commissioners Court. The Hidalgo County Commissioners Court voted to extend the local state of disaster after the initial order was signed by Hidalgo County Judge Richard F. Cortez on Aug. 2.
The declaration focuses on the increased numbers of migrants legally in this country after having applied for asylum. It sets in motion a legal claim for reimbursement from the federal government.
“We are at capacity to accommodate the growing numbers of asylum seekers who are legally in our community,” said Cortez. “This state of disaster will allow us to recoup financial losses to safely care for these migrants while assuring they are not in a position to spread COVID-19.”
