From U.S. Representative Randy Neugebauer
WASHINGTON, DC—Today, Congressman Randy Neugebauer (TX-19)
joined Texas Reps. Mac Thornberry (TX-13) and Mike Conaway (TX-11) in sending a
letter
to U.S. Border Patrol Chief Michael Fisher to express their concern with the
Border Patrol's July 2, 2012 memo announcing their intention to close nine
interior Border Patrol stations, including those in Amarillo, Lubbock, San
Angelo and Abilene.
Each agent at these four stations apprehended an average of
142 illegal aliens this year. Amarillo and Lubbock made 638 apprehensions this
year alone, and the San Angelo and Abilene stations play a vital role in
patrolling the Del Rio Sector.
The letter also asks Mr. Fisher to reconsider the proposal
to close these border patrol stations in Texas, which work efficiently to
apprehend illegal immigrants and help keep the citizens of West and North Texas
safe. The letter also expresses alarm that the Customs and Border Patrol (CBO)
has not engaged in any communication with Immigration and Customs Enforcement
(ICE) to ensure that local law enforcement will continue to be able address
immigration violations without immediate federal support.
"Border security is of the utmost importance to our
country. But we know that between the border patrol offices in Amarillo
and Lubbock, more than 700 illegal immigrants were detained," said Congressman
Neugebauer. "The Department of Homeland Security hasn't demonstrated that
sending additional resources to the border will be a more efficient use of
resources than maintaining a presence further north. I'd like to see numbers
that reassure me that this strategy change won't ultimately result in fewer
arrests."
Visit Congressman
Neugebauer's website to read the full text of the letter.
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