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Hidalgo County judge to Biden: 'Immediate and decisive action' needed to address increase of migrants

2 years 7 months 2 weeks ago Friday, July 30 2021 Jul 30, 2021 July 30, 2021 5:07 PM July 30, 2021 in News - Local
By: KRGV Digital

In a letter sent Friday, Hidalgo County Judge Richard F. Cortez invited President Joe Biden to come to the Rio Grande Valley “to witness first-hand the challenges being created by current (immigration) policy.”

In the letter, Cortez says immediate and decisive action is needed to address the current increase of migrants at the border.

READ THE LETTER HERE.

Cortez is also calling on Congress to “move quickly to resolve major immigration policy shortcomings that are now causing significant capacity issues in Hidalgo County,” according to a news release.

“There are two factors at play right now,” Cortez stated in the news release. “One is a flawed immigration policy on top of outdated laws that are provoking a high volume of immigrants to legally seek asylum. Because of that, a local and highly regarded charity is facing capacity issues.”

Cortez asked all the cities in Hidalgo County to assist Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley, which is in need of additional capacity. The cities of Weslaco and La Joya spoke out this week after finding out the organization has been housing COVID-positive migrants in hotels in the cities.

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“Congress and the President must act immediately,” Cortez stated in the release. “As long as the high volume of migrants seeking asylum continues, Hidalgo County must contend with administering to growing numbers of migrants with limited space.”

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