Texas GOP Rep. Dismisses Border Crisis Denials.

Rep. Tony Gonzales: Border Situation Worse Than Portrayed

Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) recently visited El Paso and recorded videos that show the border situation is worse than what is being portrayed. This comes after the expiration of the pandemic-era immigration policy Title 42 at midnight on May 11. Gonzales stated that “everyone is saying it’s not that bad,” but his visit to the Central Processing Center in El Paso revealed a different story.

Overcrowding and Concerns

Gonzales reported that the facility, which is meant to house 1,000 people, is currently holding over 6,000 individuals. In one room, the maximum capacity is 90 people, but there were over 400 individuals in it, which is a 450 percent capacity. Another room, intended to hold 120 people, was holding over 700 people. Gonzales also noted that an unaccompanied minor had died while in the custody of the Department of Health and Human Services last week.

Title 42 and Illegal Immigration

The Title 42 public health provision was invoked in March 2020 by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to stop the spread of COVID-19. It allowed illegal immigrants to be quickly turned away at the southern U.S. border, rather than be processed at immigration detention facilities under Title 8 immigration law. However, there have been concerns that ending Title 42 would lead to a significant increase in illegal immigration.

Call for Action

Gonzales called on the Biden administration to send more immigration judges to the southern border as an alternative to releasing immigrants. He explained that “the president should surge immigration judges to the border, and that person should get their case heard in days, not years.” Gonzales also voted in favor of the Secure the Border Act (H.R.2), an immigration bill that the House passed after a 219–213 vote mostly along party lines.

Conclusion

The situation at the southern border is a complex issue that requires immediate attention. It is crucial to address the overcrowding and ensure that individuals are processed in a timely and humane manner. The Biden administration must take action to prevent further harm and provide a fair and just process for all individuals seeking asylum in the United States.