House Judiciary Committee visits Rio Grande valley

McAllen, Texas – Members of the House Judiciary Committee traveled to the Rio Grande Valley Sector of the U.S.-Mexico border on Monday, October 16, 2017 to seek information about security along the U.S.-Mexico border, enforcement of our nation’s immigration laws, and the application of asylum laws. Members who traveled to the Rio Grande Valley include House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and Representatives Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas), Steve Chabot (R-Ohio), and Steve King (R-Iowa).

Chairman Goodlatte made the following statement on the bipartisan delegation’s visit to the Rio Grande Valley Sector:

“Members of the House Judiciary Committee had a very informative and productive visit to the Rio Grande Valley Sector of the U.S.-Mexico border. I want to commend all of our federal officials on the ground at our southwest border who are working together to secure our border, enforce our immigration laws, and combat human and drug smuggling.

“The Trump Administration’s efforts to enforce our immigration laws have been met with success but Congress must do more to ensure that unlawful immigrants can be safely returned to their home country and not be released into the interior of our country.”

The Members of Congress received a briefing at the McAllen Border Patrol Station, which is responsible for covering 800 square miles along the southwest border. The McAllen Border Patrol Station is part of the Rio Grande Valley Sector, the busiest of the nine sectors along the U.S.-Mexico border. In fiscal year 2017, the Rio Grande Valley Sector had over 22,000 apprehensions of unaccompanied alien minors and over 47,000 family unit apprehensions, far higher than any other sector along the border. The Members met with officials from U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE ERO), and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Congressional delegation with Chief Patrol Agent (CPA) Manuel Padilla, Jr. and Border Patrol Agent in Charge Ryan Landrum

Congressional delegation with Chief Patrol Agent (CPA) Manuel Padilla, Jr

The delegation toured the Rio Grande River, where Border Patrol officers highlighted the unique challenges they face apprehending aliens attempting to enter illegally. Members saw landing points used by smugglers and unlawful immigrants to gain entry into the U.S.

Chairman Goodlatte tours the Rio Grande River

The U.S. Border Patrol demonstrated the different techniques they deploy to overcome the rugged terrain of the Rio Grande Valley. The horse patrol unit, which provides agents with increased mobility, is an especially effective tool in the fight against illegal immigration along this part of the border.

Chairman Goodlatte and Representative King are briefed on the Border Patrol’s horse patrol by Supervisory Border Patrol Agent (SBPA) Jeff Wiggins

The Members of Congress toured the Hidalgo Port of Entry, where thousands of pedestrians and vehicles cross daily from Mexico to the U.S. The Members were briefed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection on pedestrian processing including the use of biometrics, the baggage x-ray system, agriculture inspections, vehicle arrivals and inspection, and increasing national security threats.

Chairman Goodlatte and Representatives Chabot and King at the Hidalgo Port of Entry

The delegation will also visit the San Diego Sector of the U.S.-Mexico border. While the trip is closed to press, please follow the House Judiciary Committee on Twitter for updates.