McAllen Mayor Speaks at Meeting on Border Security

Reported by: Erica Proffer
Last Update: 1:39 pm

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. lawmakers are looking for answers. They want to know how to better secure our borders. They met with people who work along the border Tuesday.

McAllen Mayor Richard Cortez talked to lawmakers in Washington. His testimony was part of a House Homeland Security Border and Maritime Subcommittee meeting. They are responsible for gathering information regarding our border security and reporting that to Congress.

Cortez told lawmakers he wants more investment from the government at the international bridges. He told committee members the southbound lanes are not efficient in stopping criminals headed south. He said there is no communication in place between local law enforcement and anyone at McAllen-owned bridges.

Cortez submitted a report saying between the ports, officers catch criminals 70 percent of the time. At the ports, that number drops to less than 30 percent. He calls it an imbalance Congress must help to correct.

“The bad guys cross in those legal ports of entry. They come and do violent crimes and certain business in our community then they try to run back through that port of entry and leave,â€