By Karen Gleason
To most of those who attended Friday’s Border Security Coalition Town Hall, the problem is simple: Texas is being “invaded” by hordes of migrants, and something must be done.
The event, organized by the Texas Public Policy Foundation, drew about 130 people and was held in the nave of the Grace Church on Kings Way.
Former Val Verde County Judge Laura Allen welcomed those attending and said she and her husband had hosted the group. Allen recognized county elected officials who attended, including current Val Verde County Judge Lewis G. Owens Jr., Val Verde County Sheriff Joe Frank Martinez, County Commissioner Pct. 3 Beau Nettleton and Justice of the Peace Pct. 3 Pat Cole, who is also Allen’s mother.
The border security coalition included about 15 members of the Texas Public Policy Foundation, former legislators and law enforcement professionals.
“Like many border communities, Del Rio is on the front lines of a crisis that continues to spiral out of control as unprecedented numbers of migrants cross into the country illegally. The citizens of communities like Del Rio are bearing the brunt of the immediate consequences of this disaster, as Border Patrol agents and local law enforcement are overwhelmed and receive little help from Washington. Del Rio is a microcosm of what is happening in towns up and down the border, all because of the Biden administration’s deliberate provocation of this crisis with no end in sight,” said John Hostettler, former Congressman and vice president of federal affairs for the States Trust/Texas Public Policy Foundation, in a statement on a flyer for the event.
“We’re here in Del Rio to talk about how the issue of immigration, and especially border security, has changed over the years, and it has changed significantly. We’ve come to hear from you, to answer your questions and hear your input, because what we’re going to do as a result of this visit, is take the input we have gotten from folks in Del Rio to Washington, D.C., and Austin to suggest policy that will keep the border secure, and I should say, make the border secure,” Hostettler said at the outset of Friday’s meeting.
Each of those participating in the event had a chance to speak to the audience.
After those brief speeches, the group invited members of the audience to ask questions and share their experiences dealing with the current increases in the numbers of migrants.
Del Rioan Bill White said the federal government must “finish the (border) fence” and “remove the motivations for them (migrants) to come.”
After residents made their comments and asked their questions, Owens briefly addressed the group, and agreed the situation is frustrating.
Owens spoke about recent releases and the number of persons being housed in the county’s detention center and how much housing those inmates will cost local taxpayers.
“I wish we could send them back, I really do. If we could send them back, I’d be happy. If we could just get them out of my country, I’d be happy . . . We’re all sitting here and screaming and getting mad, but we know what the problem is, but we don’t have individuals who can fix it in the room,” Owens said.
Several members of the group and audience also spoke about a reported visit to Del Rio by Gov. Greg Abbott on Thursday, June 10.
