Congressman Ortiz is in Harlingen, on the Texas/Mexico border. He is expected to testify before House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration and Border security. A local tv station's undercover investigation tapes will be hopefully played as part of his investigation.

"Ortiz hopes the video of the immigrants being released convinces those in Washington to provide funding for more agents, more technology and more detention centers."

See also http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-610.html for Ortiz' views on open borders.

http://www.team4news.com/Global/story.asp?S=3023517
HARLINGEN
Ortiz Holds Immigration Hearing Today
March 3, 2005, 05:20 PM CST
Reported by April Norris

The undercover pictures captured by Action 4 News illustrated what many suspected - U.S. border patrol agents delivering illegal immigrants to a bus station.

Our investigation caught the attention of Congressman Solomon Ortiz. Now, he hopes it will catch the attention of a House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration and Border security.

Later on today, the story will be used as evidence during the hearing.

"We need to send a signal, we're building, we're constructing detention centers, we're putting more border patrolmen on the front lines and if you come across you're not going to be given your walking papers, you're going to be detained, that needs to be done," Ortiz said Wednesday from Washington.

During a month long investigation, Action 4 News watched as the agents dropped off illegal immigrants at the Valley Transit Bus station in Harlingen.

None of the immigrants have criminal records, but many come from Central and South American countries that support terrorism. Ortiz wants his colleagues to see first hand what border agents
are being ordered to do.

"In fact I played it before to other members, they are just you now going wild, my god, we had no idea this was going on! So, this is hat we want to do, to explain to them, show the tapes, explain to them hat we have seen and tell them this is where I reside, these are the problems we've had."

Last month, the Deputy Homeland Security Secretary testified Al Qaeda believes one of the easiest ways into the united states is through the Mexican border.

The border patrol says it has no choice but to release immigrants because the detention centers are overcrowded.

"We are asking for at least six thousand more beds to house those that are coming across," the congressman said.

Ortiz hopes the video of the immigrants being released convinces those in Washington to provide funding for more agents, more technology and more detention centers.