President Donald Trump used a national prime-time address to claim a natural security and humanitarian crisis on the border, which is something those who live and work in South Texas deny, Newsradio 1200 WOAI reports.
"The crime rate on the border, whether its murder, rape or assaults, it's lower on the border," Congressman Henry Cuellar says.
He says cities at the border have lower crime rates than places like Washington, D.C., Chicago, and Houston, as well as the national average.
But Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas) disagrees. He says the lack of a wall is a crisis and a national security vulnerability.
"There is a train of misery coming into the United States from these transnational criminal organizations that traffic in drugs and people and human misery," he told Fox News’ Outnumbered Overtime with Harris Faulkner.
Cuellar (D-Laredo) sits on the house appropriation committee, which decides on funding, and he says there is little chance that the president will be able to use military funds to build the wall using emergency powers. He says there are specific rules and regulations, and the facts do not support a national emergency, with illegal immigration hitting low levels.
Tomorrow, President Trump is expected to head to McAllen, TX, which is in Cuellar's district. He takes exception to the President using his home as an example of the crisis, because it presents a false narrative of life on the border.
"People ask me, 'Hey! How are you doing on the border?' And I keep saying the border is a lot safer than so many other places."
Laredo Mayor Pete Saenz, as well as a coalition of border leaders, shot a letter to the president offering to personally host him on a tour of the McAllen-Hidalgo International Bridge, Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge or the Anzalduas International Bridge.
“We, along with border residents share a concern for border security and stand with the brave U.S. Customs and Border Protection men and women who continue to protect our nation every day,” the elected officials wrote. “Our officers and their facilities are stretched thin, face an overwhelming opponent in the international drug cartels, and deserve all the support you may be able to offer.”