By Karen Gleason
BRACKETTVILLE – Frustration over the sharp increases in the numbers of illegal immigrants passing through Kinney County made itself heard loud and clear during a “Border Crisis Rally” held at the convention center here Saturday.
More than 200 concerned citizens, mostly from Kinney County, but some from across the state, listened to a slate of speakers that included sheriffs and other elected officials, a conservative radio talk host and several local landowners.
Several Kinney County landowners, including Katy Hobbs and Cole Hill, told harrowing stories of encounters with immigrants on their land.
Hobbs told the story of how her husband found five Central American girls, ages 11 months to 7 years old, abandoned on the couple’s Quemado farm on Mother’s Day.
Hobbs said the incident broke her heart, and she predicted “a long, hot deadly summer.”
Hill, who runs the Gun Hill Ranch outside Brackettville, spoke about several frightening encounters between himself and groups of immigrant men on his property.
“We used to see 20 to 30 of them a year, but that’s not the case anymore,” Hill told the crowd.
Another property owner and speaker, Mike Miller, has founded an organization called Warriors for Ranchers to champion the rights of the region’s landowners.
Attendees also heard from Kinney County Sheriff Brad Coe and Kinney County Attorney Brent Smith.
Coe said he has asked for the National Guard to be sent to Kinney County, but added he has had “no response” to his request.
Coe also pledged he would begin arresting illegal immigrants and prosecuting them for criminal trespass on area ranches and for child endangerment, if they have children with them.
The group also heard from Texas Rep. Bryan Slaton, author of a bill in the Texas Legislature for completion of the border wall; and Goliad County Sheriff Roy Boyd, who told the crowd, “We are facing a Marxist invasion.”
Attendees also heard from George Rodriguez, host of a conservative radio talk show, and Bianca Gracia, leader of a political action committee called Latinos for America First.
