EL PASO, Texas - The recent death of an American citizen from an apparent heart attack while waiting for over eight hours at an international bridge in Eagle Pass has prompted calls for more infrastructure investment U.S.-Mexico land port of entries.
The Texas Border Coalition sent a letter to members the Texas border congressional delegation in response to the incident. The group, which comprises cities and counties along the Texas-Mexico border, says the death underscores the “dire consequences of underfunded and understaffed border crossings.”
According to media reports, a 51-year-old man, along with numerous other commuters, endured a wait time of more than eight hours at Eagle Pass’ Port of Entry No. 2 due to a temporary halt in operations over the Christmas holidays. During this period, the man experienced a medical issue. Media reports say emergency responders from Piedras Negras, Mexico, promptly arrived on the scene, provided medical assistance, and transferred him to an awaiting ambulance from the Eagle Pass Fire Department positioned at the border. Regrettably, the victim succumbed to his condition.
El Paso County Commissioner and TBC Chairman David Stout said there was an opportunity to address the situation sooner, but unfortunately, it was not acted upon in time.
“This was a tragic incident that could have been avoided,” Stout said. “Unless we address the issue of prolonged wait times at border crossings, incidents of this nature are likely to happen again.”
Stout pointed out that for over 15 years, TBC has stressed the importance of well-built, equipped, and staffed border crossings to control the border effectively, intercept lawbreakers, and facilitate legitimate trade and travel.
In a letter to the Texas border congressional delegation, TBC once again urged lawmakers to address the issue by approving $6 billion in funding to replace aging infrastructure and technology, along with hiring an additional 5,000 U.S. Customs inspectors.
In the letter, the coalition highlighted the significant economic impact of border delays, noting that 80 percent of all border trade, primarily freight related to manufacturing and logistics, passes through Texas into other states.
TBC supports the Land Ports of Entry Modernization Trust Fund Act, a bipartisan initiative authored by U.S. Representatives Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, Veronica Escobar, D-El Paso, Vicente Gonzalez, D-McAllen, and Tony Gonzales, R-San Antonio. The group says the act holds the potential to significantly mitigate disruptions arising from extended border delays, noting that it proposes to establish a trust fund to enhance land ports of entry, procure technology, and hire U.S. Customs and Border Protection staff, with an oversight board to guide fund utilization.
“Efficient and secure land ports of entry are essential to facilitate lawful trade and travel while ensuring the safety of our communities,” Stout said. “It is paramount to have a well-equipped workforce capable of managing both unexpected surges in migration and the routine functioning of our land ports.”
Here is a copy of the letter the TBC sent to Congressman Gonzales, who represents Eagle Pass in Congress:
January 8, 202
Dear Congressman Gonzales:
As the collective voice of border communities on issues that affect the Texas- Mexico border region’s quality of life, commerce, and public policy, the Texas Border Coalition (TBC) calls on Congress to address the understaffed and underfunded points of entry at the Texas border.
The recent avoidable death of an American citizen from a heart attack while waiting for over 8 hours at a U.S.-Mexico land port of entry near Eagle Pass, Texas highlights the consequences of the extended border delays.
Congress can address this issue by approving $6 billion in funding to replace aging infrastructure and technology, along with hiring an additional 5,000 U.S. Customs inspectors. There are simply not enough inspectors to handle the amount of commerce that travels through the Texas-Mexico Border. Almost $500 billion of commerce passes through Texas yearly.
The Land Ports of Entry Modernization Trust Fund Act, a bipartisan initiative, also holds the potential to significantly mitigate disruptions arising from extended border delays. This Act must be fully funded to modernize land ports of entry, procure technology, and hire U.S. Customs and Border Protection staff.
TBC is comprised of mayors, city council members, county judges, county executives, businesses, corporations, and community leaders. Collectively, we represent more than 2.8 million people who reside along the more than 1,250 miles of the Texas-Mexico border, from Brownsville to El Paso, Texas.
Sincerely,
David Stout
Chairman, Texas Border Coalition
County Commissioner, El Paso County, Texas
The Texas Border Coalition (TBC) is a collective voice of border mayors, county judges, and economic development commissions focused on issues that affect 2.8 million people along the Texas-Mexico border region and economically disadvantaged counties from El Paso to Brownsville. The group works closely with the state and federal government to educate, advocate, and secure funding for transportation, immigration and border security, workforce development, economic development, and health care.
Here is a list of the group’s board of directors:
Chairman
Commissioner David Stout, El Paso County
Vice Chairman
C. LeRoy Cavazos-Reyna, Localism, Inc.
Treasurer
Henry Sauvignet, IBC Bank
Immediate Past Chairman
Judge Eddie Treviño, Jr. Cameron County
Executive Committee
Judge Eleazar Cano, Brewster County
Mayor Alvaro “Al” Arreola, City of Del Rio
Mayor David Moreno, City of Donna
Mayor Sergio Coronado, City of Hidalgo
Mayor Dr. Victor D. Trevino, City of Laredo
Mayor Javier Villalobos, City of McAllen
Mayor Norie Gonzalez Garza, City of Mission
Teclo Garcia, Mission EDC
Mayor Amos Hernandez, City of Pharr
Luis Bazan, Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge
Mayor Martin Cantu, Jr., City of Port Isabel
Mayor John Ferguson, City of Presidio
Judge Jose Portillo, Presidio County
Mayor Patrick McNulty, City of South Padre Island
J.D. Salinas III, AT&T
Daniel Silva, RGV Partnership
Ben Petty, Sr., TaxFree Shopping
Mayor David Suarez, City of Weslaco
Judge Aurelio Guerra, Willacy County
Judge Joe RathmellZapata County
Committee Chairs
Carolyn Petty - Economic Development
Dr. Hector F. Gonzalez- Healthcare
Monica Weisberg-Stewart - Immigration & Border Security
Cynthia Garza Reyes - Transportation
Michael E. Gonzalez - Education & Workforce Development
For more information, visit the coalition website at www.texasbordercoalition.org.
