Representative Tony Gonzales, whose congressional district spans 800 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border, expressed his disapproval of the tactics employed to deter illegal migration. However, he refrained from directly criticizing Texas Governor Greg Abbott for implementing measures such as floating barriers and razor wire in the middle of the Rio Grande to discourage migrants from entering the U.S.
In an internal complaint, a Texas state trooper raised concerns about the effectiveness of these tactics, highlighting the risks they pose to migrants, including young children, such as drowning and serious injury. The trooper also alleged that Texas officials were instructed to withhold water from migrants and push them back into the river. There was even an instance where the trooper and his team had to rescue a woman who was trapped in the razor wire and experiencing a miscarriage.
Gonzales, a Republican, acknowledged that the situation at the border is far from humane. He commended Governor Abbott for taking actions to secure the border but stated that the floating barriers themselves are not the primary issue, as migrants have been drowning even before their installation. Gonzales emphasized that it is unacceptable for migrants to suffer harm as a result of these measures, a stance he has held for the past two years.
The Biden administration has threatened to take legal action against Texas if the barriers are not removed, citing violations of federal law and potential risks to public safety and the environment. Despite this threat, Governor Abbott seems determined to stand his ground, as evident in his tweet saying, “We will see you win court, Mr. President.”
In response, the White House released a statement suggesting that Governor Abbott should redirect his efforts towards seeking real solutions by engaging his Republican colleagues, including Senator Ted Cruz, to support President Biden’s funding requests for the Department of Homeland Security and his comprehensive immigration reform and border security measures. Gonzales also called on Congress to take action and propose solutions instead of solely relying on the president and governors to address the issue.
Gonzales recently introduced the HIRE Act, aimed at facilitating the process for migrants to acquire temporary work visas to address workforce shortages. He criticized the Biden administration for not prioritizing legal immigration and expressed his preference for focusing on establishing legal pathways instead of solely tackling illegal entry into the U.S. However, Gonzales did not confirm whether the bill would be brought to a vote on the House floor, leaving the decision in the hands of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
In conclusion, Representative Tony Gonzales voiced his concerns over the treatment of migrants and acknowledged the need for comprehensive solutions from both Congress and the executive branch. He highlighted the importance of addressing both the current undocumented population and the prevention of dangerous journeys, suggesting work visas as a potential solution.
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