WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Biden referenced security on the southern border in his State of the Union speech on Tuesday evening.
Biden said:
“If we are to advance liberty and justice, we need to secure the Border and fix the immigration system. We can do both.
“At our border, we’ve installed new technology like cutting-edge scanners to better detect drug smuggling.
“We’ve set up joint patrols with Mexico and Guatemala to catch more human traffickers.
“We’re putting in place dedicated immigration judges so families fleeing persecution and violence can have their cases heard faster.
“We’re securing commitments and supporting partners in South and Central America to host more refugees and secure their own borders.
“We can do all this while keeping lit the torch of liberty that has led generations of immigrants to this land—my forefathers and so many of yours.
“Provide a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers, those on temporary status, farm workers, and essential workers.
“Revise our laws so businesses have the workers they need and families don’t wait decades to reunite.
“It’s not only the right thing to do—it’s the economically smart thing to do.
“That’s why immigration reform is supported by everyone from labor unions to religious leaders to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
“Let’s get it done once and for all.”
Villalobos: McAllen is safe
McAllen Mayor Javier Villalobos said his city does not have security problems when it comes to immigrants arriving from Central America.
Speaking to reporters at a recent ceremony at which Tamaulipas Governor Francisco Garcia Cabeza de Vaca was honored, Villalobos said:
“Today was a celebration of the success we have had with our industry and our commerce and also the vaccinations. Our trade and our commerce never stopped, because of what we did here and what our governor, Cabeza de Vaca did in Mexico, with the implementation of the vaccines, with the implementation of the security program, our area has been amazing.”
Villalobos said he is often asked how safe McAllen is.
“Now, people ask about immigration issues. We really do not have too much of that. There are issues that we have but we have entities that assist. Migrants come through here and they leave. They do not stay here. We have never had, in the city of McAllen, one single incident with a migrant. And people think that they are running all over the place and they are not. There are some issues sometimes on the bridge, but they (Border Patrol/CBP) take care of it. But here in the city of McAllen, we have absolutely no issues,” Villalobos said.
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