County Judge Seeking Compromise in Border Patrol Policy

Agents will reportedly enforce immigration laws during evacuations

BROWNSVILLE - The Cameron County judge is calling for an agreement between Border Patrol and Emergency Management officials.

Border Patrol agents told NEWSCHANNEL 5 they'll continue to enforce immigration law even during a hurricane. That means they'll screen people on buses and those going through checkpoints.

But Cameron County Judge Carlos Cascos says there has to be a better way.

"Well the worst that could happen is that it will bottleneck at the hub stations and cause a delay in evacuations," he says. "As it is, most people will wait until the last minute to evacuate. But the worst is maybe they won't go to a pickup point, and then we will have to deal with evacuating these people after the storm...those people in the colonias and the low area..."

NEWSCHANNEL 5 has learned a McAllen attorney drafted a letter taking a stand against the Border Patrol policy. Several Valley leaders are expected to sign it.