Texas Border Business
WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) called on President Joe Biden, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to address the impending influx of Central American migrants at the U.S. – Mexico border. Congressman Gonzalez also urged for the Biden administration to create a humane process that allows for individuals to apply for asylum at any U.S. embassy abroad that does not place border communities at risk during a pandemic. What Congressman Gonzalez is requesting was already in place with the former Trump Administration.
“With the suspension of the ‘Safe Third Country Agreements’, the Biden administration must offer a more clearly communicated and defined option for individuals to apply for asylum from their home or neighboring countries. Migrant caravans approaching our southern border will overwhelm our many unvaccinated Customs and Border Patrol agents and put our frontline workers at greater risk during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Border communities in South Texas and across the country continue to be devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic, border travel restrictions and the economic downturn. It’s incumbent upon President Biden and Secretaries Blinken and Mayorkas to quickly commit resources to our border agents and local governments to prevent our region from being overwhelmed and empower American embassies to process these asylum applications humanely, efficiently and comprehensively. A disorderly rushing of our border is not acceptable.
In the long term, we must continue to make thoughtful investments in the Northern Triangle that boost their economies, create jobs, lower crime and incentivize their populations to remain in their home countries. Until this is accomplished in a meaningful way, we will continue to feel the stress on our southern border. I look forward to working with President Biden and his administration to address these important and pressing policy issues.”
