Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) speaks at the Brookings Institute to discuss U.S.-Mexico Relations and President Trump’s Proposed Border Wall in Washington held Thursday. From left to right: National Association of Hispanic Journalists Vice President and La Opinion/Impremedia Washington Correspondent Maria Peña, U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar, and Brookings Senior Fellow Vanda Felbab-Brow.
Texas Border Business
WASHINGTON—Today at the Brookings Institute, Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28), a member of the U.S. House Appropriations Committee, and Homeland Security and Defense Subcommittees, joined Brookings Senior Fellow Vanda Felbab-Brown to discuss U.S.-Mexico relations and President Trump’s proposed border wall. The discussion was moderated by Maria Peña, Washington Correspondent, La Opinion/Impremedia and Vice President for Print, National Association of Hispanic Journalists
In her essay, The Wall, Felbab-Brown argues that the Trump administration’s anti-immigration rhetoric is largely uninformed, and that the administration has greatly misunderstood the importance of a mutually beneficial agreement between the United States and Mexico that enables environmental, security, economic and cultural cooperation.
“President Trump’s proposed border wall is a 14th Century solution to a 21st Century issue,” Congressman Cuellar said. “The issue of immigration and drug trafficking extends beyond building a wall. As someone who lives on the border and understands the border, I recognize the need for stronger border security with an approach from all angels. That includes employing more border security personnel, federal immigration judges and staff as well as increasing surveillance and reporting technology with aerostats and additional equipment. Aside from the tremendous cost and payment, Trump’s proposed wall would affect communities economically, environmentally and socially across the United States and Mexico.”
“There will be no simple fix with a giant concrete wall. That is why I will continue to work in Congress in a bipartisan manner to address key issues of DACA, border security, chain migration and diversity.”
“I thank the Brookings Institute for hosting this important discussion today, and I thank Vanda Felbab-Brown for publishing her findings and for providing in-depth insight to the border wall and the negative affects it would have on our country and its relationship with Mexico.”
