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Nolasco meets with U.S. reps over problems at border




Sheriff Ruben Nolasco
Uvalde County Sheriff Ruben Nolasco (right) sits with U.S. Rep. for District 23 Tony Gonzales at a campaign event held in September of 2020, before either were elected to their respective positions. Both men took office in January, and have since spoken at multiple events about immigrants crossing the Mexican border.

U.S. Rep. for District 23 Tony Gonzales led a congressional delegation to visit border areas in Eagle Pass and Del Rio last Thursday, also meeting with law enforcement officials, including Uvalde County Sheriff Ruben Nolasco, to discuss border security concerns.

“On that trip I brought seven other members and what I wanted them to see was really, one to see what it’s like on the border, but more importantly have them listen to sheriffs, mayors, judges,” Gonzales said. “It was a mix of Democrats and Republicans, all different types of folks were at this table, and I was very excited about that because it allowed them to kind of get an unfiltered snapshot of what is happening.”

Gonzales said the numerous chases and sheer number of immigrants crossing the borders impact the resources of local cities and counties.

He said his goal was to have lawmakers stop casting blame but rather focus on ways to alleviate stress on border town resources. He is working to increase federal money including the Stonegarden grant, which helps border-area communities fund extra law enforcement patrols.

Nolasco noted during the discussion that the intersection of U.S. Highway 90 and U.S. Highway 83 creates a corridor for smugglers to and from Mexico.

“Drugs, human smugglings are coming out, monies are coming in. Right now we are seeing an influx on our cases on 481, it’s a Farm to Market Road, very narrow, it’s highly trafficked,” Nolasco said. He noted frequent chases were making the area dangerous for citizens and law enforcement.

“There is a lot of valuable time and resources that are being spent on this issue versus on our citizens. We deserve to treat our citizens, our taxpayers, a lot better, give them that service that they deserve.”

Nolasco said Uvalde County measures 1,600 square miles and deputies working a chase of human smugglers on 481 might be almost 60 miles away from a caller needing help on the outskirts of Utopia.

He said he is not against immigration, but it must be done in a legal and safe manner.

“First day that I took office we had a chase on Highway 55, that’s north of Uvalde. The guy we call the principal who was being pursued, he shot at a border patrolman,” Nolasco said. “We were blessed, he didn’t get him. The shooter was finally apprehended.”

He also referenced another incident, though not smuggling related, in which someone being pursued by law enforcement began shooting. The chase originated March 26 in Medina County and traveled into Uvalde County before reversing course.

“We’re so close to the border they can go either way and get away,” Nolasco said. “You want to come over, you’re welcome, but dadgummit do it the right way. … I don’t want to get that call, 2, 3 o’clock in the morning, ‘Hey, your officer has been shot, he’s been killed.’ I don’t want that and it can be prevented.”

Nolasco thanked Gonzales and the delegates for making the trip and having the discussion.

President Joe Biden’s administration announced Monday the U.S. had reached an agreement with Mexico, Honduras, and Guatemala, to increase border security, creating barriers to U.S. border migration, including an increased number of police and military in the three countries.

“Mexico made the decision to maintain 10,000 troops at its southern border, resulting in twice as many daily migrant interdictions,” said Jen Psaki, White House Press Secretary, at a Monday press briefing. “Guatemala surged 1,500 police and military personnel to its southern border with Honduras and agreed to set up 12 checkpoints along the migratory route. Honduras surged 7,000 police and military to disperse a large contingent of migrants.”

She noted that border enforcement discussions have been ongoing over a period of time on many levels.

“I’ve been pushing the administration since January, and I will continue to push them. I think it’s a positive thing they’re trying to find was to alleviate some of the stress. I think positioning some of these troops throughout, it curbs the cartels a bit,” Gonzales said of the White House announcement.

“Bringing the members down to Del Rio and Eagle Pass, that was important, that was a good step one. These people were from Pennsylvania and Iowa and Indiana and New York, and a lot of them had never been to the border before. It was an eye-opener for them,” Gonzales said. “Step two is now what can we do to help? Increasing funds to Operation Stonegarden is part of that answer.”

jkeeble@ulnnow.com, 830-278-3335