Today, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) released the following statement:
"To my knowledge, Texas National Guard have not yet provided details about what occurred leading up to the moments caught on video of migrants – who were already on U.S. soil – rushing past them to get to Border Patrol agents. I spoke with federal officials on the ground and was told there were no issues when Border Patrol agents – who are trained and prepared for border encounters – took the migrants in the video into custody.
"Today’s events make two things clear. First, Operation Lone Star is ineffective and does not work. Texas National Guard are not trained to process migrants and their presence impedes federal law enforcement.
"Secondly, Congress must act. It is Congress’s job to provide the Department of Homeland Security with the resources that President Biden has been asking for but which my Republican colleagues have refused to provide. There is an opportunity tomorrow for every member of Congress calling today’s videos an “invasion” and using other xenophobic language to support the women and men working on the border by voting in favor of the appropriations package that includes funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
"In addition to funding, only Congress can change our outdated immigration laws. It’s been almost a year now since I introduced the Dignity Act, a bipartisan, comprehensive immigration reform bill which addresses the challenges and opportunities that we face today at the border and beyond. Every legislator serious about wanting a solution should support my bill."
