Congressman Don Davis Returns from Eagle Pass, Texas, Emphasizing the Urgent Need for Bipartisanship to Address the Evolving Southern Border Crisis
GREENVILLE, N.C — Congressman Don Davis (NC-01) recently wrapped up a visit to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) facilities in Eagle Pass, Texas, gaining invaluable insights into the challenges at the southern border.
The visit started with an eye-opening morning meeting featuring Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23), Eagle Pass Mayor Rolando Salinas, Uvalde Mayor Cody Smith, Eagle Pass Emergency Management Coordinator Roldofo Cardona, Eagle Pass Police Association President Jose Duran, and CEO of First State Bank of Uvalde Chad Stary to discuss the challenges they each face on the ground. As a former mayor, Congressman Davis genuinely appreciated Mayor Rolando Salinas’ and Mayor Cody Smith's relentless determination to advocate for their constituents. This meeting underscores the bipartisan commitment needed to find common ground and address the strain on overwhelmed border communities.
[Congressman Don Davis with Congressman Tony Gonzales, Eagle Pass Mayor Rolando Salinas, Uvalde Mayor Cody Smith, Eagle Pass Emergency Management Coordinator Roldofo Cardona, Eagle Pass Police Association President Jose Duran, and CEO of First State Bank of Uvalde Chad Stary.]
Following this meeting, Congressman Davis took a tour of the Eagle Pass Port of Entry facilities. There, he witnessed firsthand the responsibilities shouldered daily by CBP personnel. During this stop, discussions highlighted the economic ramifications, delving into the impact on the Eagle Pass-Piedras Negras International Railway Bridge and the staggering daily revenue loss of $50 million when closed due to increased migrant flows.
[ A view of the Eagle Pass-Piedras Negras International Railway Bridge.]
In 2023, the Eagle Pass Port of Entry outpaced all other sites in the United States in weapon seizures. Additionally, CBP personnel offered insights into the sacrifices made during the Christmas season, with many dedicating their holiday to managing over 6,000 migrant crossings.
[Congressman Don Davis looks at the scene where 6,000 migrants stood just days earlier.]
"My second trip to the southern border confirms there remains an evolving crisis at the border, which demands a bipartisan commitment for border security and, ultimately, comprehensive immigration reform,” said Congressman Don Davis. “The dedication of border patrol and local law enforcement is unwavering, and we must empower them to do their jobs. We must stop the finger-pointing, and we cannot simply throw more money at the problem without enforcing existing laws and making lasting changes to our broken immigration system."
Congressman Davis then traveled to the United States Border Patrol (USBP) Del Rio Sector Firefly facility, underlining the pressing need for congressional action to relieve the pressure on border personnel grappling with the persistent influx of unlawful migrant traffic. The statistics from the Del Rio Sector painted a stark picture, revealing over 90,000 encounters, 39,000 known gotaways, 250 criminal arrests, and 30 migrants apprehended on the terror watch list. These statistics emphasized the need for a bipartisan solution to address this issue.
[Congressman Don Davis in an operational briefing at the Del Rio Sector Firefly facility.]
“This is not a Democratic or Republican issue; it is an American issue,” said Congressman Don Davis. “We must put partisan politics aside once and for all to find common-sense solutions. Eastern North Carolinians and the American people are counting on us to do just that. Failure to do so could result in more illegal drugs coming into our community, a strenuous burden resulting from the need for additional public resources, and national security risks for eastern North Carolinians."
The visit concluded with a tour of the Del Rio Sector Firefly facility, witnessing the various facets of operations. He saw the intake and processing center, designed only to handle a limited capacity, and the recreation room now repurposed into an additional intake processing area. Congressman Davis visited the medical center, which provided insight into the daily life and conditions experienced by migrants and the dedicated personnel working tirelessly to address this complex situation.
The Congressman's visit to Eagle Pass represents a critical step in his ongoing commitment to bringing pragmatic solutions to the forefront of congressional negotiations on a supplemental national security package that includes essential funding for our allies, including Israel and Ukraine.
Congressman Davis’ bipartisan record in addressing the border crisis:
- Congressman Davis understands that the workforce is the most critical component of securing the border. On December 14, 2023, Congressman Davis, as a House Armed Services Committee member, voted for passage of H.R. 2670, the FY 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This legislation provides GS-12 Border Patrol agents an additional 50% of their hourly rate (time and a half) for the obligated overtime hours worked under the Border Patrol Agent Pay Reform Act.
- Congressman Davis made border security one of his top priorities during his first six months in Congress. On May 19, 2023, Congressman Davis traveled to Brownsville and McAllen, Texas, to survey the current state of border operations following the expiration of Title 42. He heard from border patrol and field operations officers on the frontlines in the Rio Grande sector.
- On May 11, 2023, Congressman Davis co-led the introduction of H.R. 3234, bipartisan legislation that would provide the Biden Administration with a two-year temporary expulsion authority for migrants who come to the United States in between ports of entry. This authority would respond to the influx of migrants expected at the Southern border due to the cessation of Title 42.
- On May 11, 2023, Congressman Davis voted against H.R. 2, divisive legislation that would have decimated U.S. agriculture as we know it. The E-Verify provision in the bill would cause a $60 billion drop in production, resulting in 5-6 percent higher prices at grocery stores at a time when consumers are just trying to break even. To tackle the border crisis, we must reject political solutions and embrace comprehensive, bipartisan legislation that secures our border while encouraging legal and only legal immigration.
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