Congressman Gonzalez Statement on Efforts to Provide Relief to Southern Border

MCALLEN, Texas – Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) issued a statement to give an update on his efforts to address the influx of migrants at the Southern Border and provide relief to our communities:

"I continue to demand answers and resources from the Biden administration in regards to the influx of migrants at our border and their release into our community. The Biden administration lacks a clear and defined process for the testing of migrants and continues to depend on third-party partners for a job it should be doing. Hospitals are also responding to a state and nationwide spike in COVID-19 cases and patients.

The entire situation and the federal response is unacceptable.

In recent days, I have met with the Speaker of the House and Department of Homeland Secretary (DHS) Alejandro Mayorkas and discussed the urgent need for immediate engagement and assistance to improve the situation in South Texas and my proposal to establish in-country asylum processing.

I am focused on solutions that will help our community and demanding the federal government take more responsibility instead of relying on state and local governments to provide support for our hospitals and non-profits. I am in contact with local officials, DHS and the White House on the ongoing developments and am committed to a long-term legislative solution to address the root causes of migration and relief for South Texans. My staff and I are monitoring the situation on the ground and are providing support wherever able.

I understand the frustrations of my community, and I, too, am tired of our region being overlooked and politicized by administrations past and present. The help we have received from the federal government has been wholly insufficient and the Biden administration must do more quickly. I will continue to push for resources, including hazard pay, to relieve our overwhelmed U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents and local health care providers. I remain at the service of those in the 15th District of Texas and will do all I can in my power to resolve this situation."

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