Rep. Cuellar’s Statement on DHS Plan to Erect Tent for Immigration Hearings in Laredo
Written by admin, Jul 22, 2019, 0 Comments
Courtesy Charlotte Laracy,
Congressman continues to work with DHS and Laredo to find a sensible solution
Washington, D.C.— Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) released the following statement on Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) decision to construct temporary tent housing near the Laredo Port of Entry for the implementation of the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) program. On July 18, Congressman Cuellar hosted a meeting with the city of Laredo and DHS officials that allowed the city to propose an alternative to erecting a tent for immigration hearings. Hours after the meeting with the Congressman and officials from Laredo concluded, DHS decided to proceed with the contract to construct the soft-sided tent facility costing tax payers millions and millions dollars.
“DHS’s decision to not accept the City of Laredo’s offer of a city-owned facility for conducting asylum hearings is extremely disappointing,” said Congressman Cuellar. “The federal government needs to learn how to collaborate with communities at the border to find sensible solutions. The city guaranteed that their proposal would have met DHS’s operational requirements and all deadlines, provided better working conditions for federal employees, and saved taxpayers millions and millions of dollars.”
“I will continue to work with both the city of Laredo and DHS to see if the city-owned facility could be used in the near future. As the ViceChair of Homeland Security Subcommittee on Appropriations, I will also work with the Committee to ensure that federal tax dollars are wisely used by DHS.”
“I want to thank the City of Laredo, including Mayor Pete Saenz, City Manager Rosario Cabello, Councilman Mercurio Martinez III, City Attorney Kristy Hal, and Public Utility Director John Orfila for their dedication to this issue. I would also like to thank Acting DHS Secretary Kevin McAleenan for meeting with me to consider the city’s proposal. However, I question the counsel that he received by his subordinates within the Department. All of us within the federal government can do better.”
