Hello, I'm Javier Villalobos, Mayor McAllen.
Here in McAllen, border policy is personal. It affects our neighborhoods, businesses, first responders, and the families who call the community home.
Since 2014, we have worked alongside community and humanitarian partners to respond to large numbers of immigrants passing through our city. We have seen the strain that an overwhelmed immigration system places on local resources, and we've also seen the human hardship of families seeking safety and a better life.
Through it all, our responsibility has remained clear: protect our community, maintain order, and treat people with dignity. We welcome the relief our community has experienced from the extraordinary pressures of past immigration surges.
We want stability as federal and state leaders consider the next chapter of immigration policy, our communities must have a seat on the table.
Our message is straightforward: keep our borders secure, keep our communities safe, and make lawful opportunities part of a lasting solution. That starts with consistent enforcement, properly equipped federal agencies, and a decisive action against human trafficking, drug smuggling, and criminal organizations.
I want to thank Governor Greg Abbott for helping to keep McAllen safe and for committing state resources to protecting border communities. We appreciate the men and women who carried out that work and the support Texas has provided during challenging times.
And now we encourage Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa to continue the commitment to public safety while expanding opportunities for lawful employment. We ask our administration to work with federal leaders, local governments, and employers to support practical legal pathways for people who want to work, provide for their families, and contribute to our economy.
Immigration is a federal responsibility, but a lasting solution requires cooperation at every level of government, including crossing party lines for the benefit of our country. Washington must lead. Texas must remain a committed partner, and local communities must be heard.
And a secure border and a humane immigration system are goals we must pursue together with our regard to party affiliation. The United States of America has long been a place where hard work creates opportunity. We should carry that tradition forward through clear, orderly, and lawful pathways for people seeking a better life.
I urge Congress and the administration to strengthen employment pathways that respond to workforce needs, require appropriate screening, protect American workers' wages, and hold employers accountable. And these pathways should also protect immigrant workers from exploitation.
Texas has an important role in making these efforts successful. Under Governor-elect Hinojosa’s leadership, the state can bring employers, workforce agencies, and local communities together to identify labor needs, invest in workforce training, and expand opportunities for people authorized to work.
For people seeking protection from persecution, we need timely and fair decisions consistent with the laws and due process. Families should not be left in uncertainty for years, and communities should not be left managing the consequences of federal backlogs. An orderly system must have clear rules, credible enforcement, and a workable legal process.
We encourage Washington and Austin to work together on policies that endure beyond the next crisis or the next election. Policies that uphold the law, preserve human dignity, and give communities the stability in their economy and workforce they need. We can protect our country while honoring the values that make people aspire to become part of it.
From McAllen, we stand ready to do our part. Thank you, and God bless our border communities, the great state of Texas, and our beautiful United States of America.
Editor’s Note: The above remarks were delivered by McAllen Mayor Javier Villalobos following the Nov. 3 Midterm elections. They first appeared on the City of McAllen’s social media platforms.
