A retired judge has penned an op-ed about his experience presiding over immigration cases on the border.
Judge Dennis Powell served 20 years on Orange County’s 163rd District Court and now holds Senior Judge Status.
In a column for the Austin American-Statesman, Powell wrote:
“What I saw in the courtroom fueled my desire to go to see it for myself. What I found was astonishingly different from the chaos often portrayed in the media and in legal circles. I saw a border that was secure, with helicopters patrolling and law enforcement officers working in an orderly process. Migrants waited for months in Mexican border towns for their turn to legally enter, going through extensive screenings, interviews and sponsor verifications. To call them "illegals" is not only misleading but dismisses the effort and legality of their actions.”
Powell also wrote:
“During my visit to the border, I met many people who left an impact on me, including one man who had been kidnapped by a cartel in Mexico. Cartels target migrants with U.S. sponsors, holding them for ransom in horrific conditions. Despite enduring such trauma, many of these individuals, including this man, were remarkably positive and eager to contribute to Texas and to this country. I was not looking at policies or political issues; instead, I saw people — families striving for safety and opportunity.”
Editor’s Note: Click here to read Judge Powell’s op-ed in the Austin American-Statesman.
