In light of recent figures given by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on the situation there, Democratic Texas Representative Henry Cuellar, whose district is on the border, recently asserted that the border is not safe under the current Democratic governor.
The DHS waited until late last week to announce the September numbers. The record high of 227,547 illegal immigrants halted by DHS inspectors in September was the highest monthly total on record.
By the end of FY2022, the DHS had the most encounters with illegal aliens (2,378,944), the most deaths of migrants at the southern border (98), and the most arrests of known or suspected terrorists (98). (856).
On this week’s “Fox News Sunday,” host Chris Wallace asked Cuellar about Vice President Kamala Harris’s assertion that the border is “secure.”
To paraphrase Cuellar’s earlier statement, “No, the border is not secure.” About 5 million people in only two years, if you add together the 1.7 million from last year, the 2.7 million from this year, and then if you count the escapes. We need to take action to make sure that people who cross the border illegally are held accountable since the border is not secure.
Henry Cuellar, a Democrat whose Texas House district includes Laredo, has traveled all the way from San Antonio to be with us today. TV Host SHANNON BREAM of FOX News:
Rep., The crew at FOX News Sunday thanks you for watching every week.
CA Democratic Representative HENRY CUELLAR: Thank you very much for being so kind to me. How are you this fine morning? Shannon.
BREAM, you know the numbers. On a Friday morning at about 11 o’clock, they landed in Washington, DC. The things they have done are truly revolutionary. I am aware of your efforts to bring the border problem to the attention of the current government through various engagements.
The Vice President made this announcement about a month ago, just so you know.
TO BEGIN, MOTION GRAPHIC ANIMATED EXPLANATION
Kamala Harris, U.S. Vice President: Securing the border is a major concern.
The film ended with that still.
BREAM: Do you feel confident, as a representative, claiming that the border is safe after consulting with the government? Second, how urgently do you believe it is for the current government to address this problem?
To start, I regret to inform you that the border is a hostile environment. According to CUELLAR, around 4.5 million persons have come into contact with the border in the previous year. Of them, 1.7 million crossed in 2017, and 2.7 million have done so so far this year. When we want to make sure that those who cross the border illegally suffer repercussions, we have to first accept that the border is not secure.
I began informing the transition team of the administration’s plans a week before December 2020. Everyone needs to do their part in getting ready. At the border, compassion alone is not enough; the law must be enforced. This is to be expected if the abducted hostages are not returned.
The number of Venezuelan kids who have decided to drop out of school has increased dramatically, and I have seen it myself. For the record, I agree that all countries should adopt this strategy. It’s possible that this policy if followed globally, may help bring the global population down. Each and every international boundary will be under our complete and total control. As someone who lives on the very edge of the country, this is of vital importance.
BREAM: Texas’s El Paso is making headlines left and right. You got to witness Bill at his finest as a journalist. Because of the influx, New York has declared a state of emergency, and busing has begun to transport the refugees there.
It appears like El Paso may end its busing program since the federal government is no longer providing transportation for as many migrants to the city.
They’ve criticized this law as cruel and are challenging it in court, but it looks like they’re actually using Title 42. According to the AP, in the weeks running up to the election on November 8, Vice President Biden has gone to an unusual source for guidance: his predecessor’s playbook, in order to deal with the increasing number of Venezuelans crossing the U.S.-Mexico border.
Do you think there is a discrepancy between the administration’s words and actions on the border?
In this case, CUELLAR, I must say that I agree with you 100%. To its credit, the administration has publicly announced its desire to repeal Title 42. Title 42 is more frequently used for social reintegration than Title 8. What they’re doing in Venezuela makes me think of systems like the MPP, where you have to check in at a desk or stand in line before entering the building. Take note of the similarities between your argument and theirs. And I’ve always said, look, we can spend all the defense on the one-yard line, which is the border between the United States and Mexico, but if we don’t go to their 20-yard line and work with Guatemala and work with Mexico and – and get them engaged so they can stop those folks from coming in, then they’ll just be at our doorsteps, and we’ve got to make sure that we understand the importance of securing our border.
BREAM: A review of polling data should reveal where Republicans are more likely to be trusted than Democrats to develop workable answers to issues. They have +21 better border security measures than we have. Your opponent, Cassy Garcia, says that you are all rhetoric but no action on the border.
But what exactly do you mean by this?
CUELLAR: Since she is not a native, she is probably unaware of what I have accomplished here. Right now, I’m the vice chair of the Department of Homeland Security. If I am able to secure the promotion I am targeting, then that is. In order to provide better mental health treatment, child care, and higher wages to Border Patrol agents, I have advocated for an increase in the agency’s budget. Mr. Owens and I get along well with her husband, the chief of the Del Rio Border Patrol (ph). Our friendship is fantastic. He invited me to deliver the keynote speech at the Artesia party we threw for New Mexico Border Patrol personnel (ph). For the purpose of informing the general public.
Actually, tomorrow I’ll be making a public announcement about spending $165 million to build a new Border Patrol checkpoint in Laredo. If I continued in this manner, I would have no end to my elaboration.
She is obviously not from here. Thanks to God, she probably has no idea what I’ve been up to. On the contrary, I am free to say that I have always supported the folks who wear green and blue uniforms at airports and border crossings.
You need not fear, Shannon, as more than 90% of their drugs enter the country through legitimate entry ports. We have no choice but to support our green and blue warriors.
BREAM, their jobs aren’t easy by any stretch of the imagination. Myself, I’d want to conduct a poll to gauge public opinion on the matter. In short, it gives Republicans a 13-point advantage over Democrats on the contentious but economically crucial issue of inflation.
In a statement released last week, Democratic Senator Mark Warner criticized the American Rescue Plan for being too costly. Price rises are something everyone is aware of, as your friend and fellow Democrat in the House, James Clyburn, reminded out last week.
Do you concur with him and feel regret for voting in favor of spending so many additional trillions?
CUELLAR: Look, I simply want to make sure everyone is aware that the previous administration racked up greater debts than the present one.
However, I will propose that the high price of oil and gas is a big component that must be addressed if we want to see a fall in these prices. My area and parliamentary district are home to around forty thousand oil and gas industry workers. In light of this, I am an outspoken supporter of the industry. Prices for both oil and gas have been successfully reduced. In the end, I supported the ban on oil exports. As a result, more doors are opening in the job market. More drilling in the United States is something that both of us agree on. Fertilizer is a key ingredient in our goods, and when the price of oil drops, so does the price of fertilizer, which in turn lowers the price of many other key ingredients.
This has led me to focus more on people directly under my watch. And that is helping the oil and gas industry in Texas, USA.
Given the assertions that you share many of the Republican Party’s beliefs, BREAM: You should expect a lot of attention from the party. There is a common misconception among Republicans and some Democrats in the House that you are the only one who advocates for abortion rights. David Wasserman, the head pollster of the Cook Political Report, is on your side. He’s the only one of his party’s hardline Democrats now sitting in Congress.
There will be efforts to have you and your kind expelled from the Democratic Party. Is there room for me here?
You can bank on the fact that I am a Democrat. That much is certain. I consider myself to have moderate Democratic ideals. When I’m at work, I do my best to remain objective. On several border issues, Senator John Cornyn and I work closely together. We can do more if we work together. It seems to me that the two big parties each have their own extreme. Right now, think about far over on the left. Our content may be found in the right-hand column of this window. Some of us are sent to Washington, DC, to deliver political speeches, while the rest of us stay at home. We’re in the nation’s capital to do the disagreeable business of government, and it’s not fun. Republicans and Democrats, including my buddy Tony Gonzales, need to work together (ph). We share a membership on the Budgetary Subcommittee. We also have Michael McCall on board as a team member.
This is why, as a moderately conservative Democrat, I think we can find common ground and collaborate effectively.
BREAM: You’re running out of time, Mr. Representative. In particular, we are monitoring the tight contests for the House of Representatives. We wanted to let you aware that Cassy Garcia, your opponent, has been talking about the January FBI raid on your house. If you have any information that can help with the inquiry, please share it.
Mr. CUELLAR, you are completely correct. An investigation is still on, but it is not focused on me. It is the recommendation of my legal team and my business associates. We need a strategy adjustment to focus on the next election.
People are naturally curious about her long-term goals. Her number one goal in life is to make other people suffer. And I think the public is sick of hearing nothing but negative feedback. They think it will be productive since it will allow for the sharing of ideas. On the contrary, I’d rather not do it at all! It will be her life’s work, she says. Ultimately, the decision should be made by the general public.
Over the previous five years, I’ve outperformed most state and national Democrats who have run in my region by around 10%. It’s because a lot of moderate Republicans and others who don’t normally support the GOP have come out in my favor. I intend to act in this manner. My support comes from the freethinkers. I aim to join the Republican Party as a moderate. If we can cooperate with the Democrats, we can win no matter what, owing to the support of swing voters.
No time to lose, Congressman; you get it. Based on our discussion this morning, we’ve decided to keep a close check on you. Please accept our sincere appreciation for your help. To put it simply, I loved talking to you.