Congressman Gonzalez Issues Statement on National Guard Deployment to the U.S.-Mexico Border

WASHINGTON – Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) issued the following statement in response to the deployment of the National Guard to the U.S.-Mexico border:

"Our policies must be rooted in facts – not fiction – and in reality – not rhetoric," Congressman Gonzalez said. "The reality is that despite our area recently seeing a historic drop in crime and illegal entries, our federal agencies are intentionally misusing information to justify a strategy based in political rhetoric.

"In a recent press release, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) cited a 203 percent increase in illegal border crossings in March of 2018 compared to March of 2017 – but this is a misrepresentation of the facts. This 203 percent is made up of both those apprehended during an illegal border crossing and those turned away while attempting to legally cross the border.

"I am disappointed to see Defense Secretary James Mattis deploy the National Guard under a false pretense, especially when we have access to innovative technology that our own military has used overseas. I welcome reasonable and responsible measures that are effective in the long-run and demonstrate a stewardship of taxpayer dollars. I cannot endorse this unwarranted deployment when there are smarter approaches to successfully secure our nation's borders."