By State Sen. Donna Campbell
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas The number of undocumented
immigrants apprehended in South Texas is up 10-fold over the past two years and law enforcement officers are overwhelmed. We must act
before the situation gets worse. The failure of the Obama Administration to enforce the law when it comes to
our southern border is a tragedy and it has
put our state on the brink of a crisis.
Earlier this month
I wrote a letter to Governor Perry requesting emergency funding to increase border enforcement and recommending a special legislative session to fully address the issue should federal efforts fail to improve the situation. Within hours he issued a statement pledging an extra $1.3 million per week in strengthened border security lasting until the end of the year.
- You can view my letter to Governor Perry here.
- You can see Governor Perrys letter to President Obama here requesting troops from the National Guard which I fully support.
This is a promising first step but I am afraid it wont meet our long-term needs.
Texas taxpayers spent $110 million on border security last year and we have committed even more state resources for the next two years. This is money we could be spending on highway infrastructure education and health services if the federal government would just step up and do their job.
Texas taxpayers should be reimbursed for the cost of assuming this burden and I have made these sentiments known to our Texas delegation in Washington D.C.
While the factors leading to the current influx of illegal border crossings are complex the solution is simple. Pour more resources into border security - including personnel and technology - and strictly enforce the immigration laws that currently exist.
We should also be working with Central American countries to ensure that those who think they can come here illegally know that they will be deported immediately.
As your state senator you have my pledge to do everything in my power to keep Texas families safe from the narco-gangs drug cartels and sex traffickers operating in the shadows of what was once our vibrant and
peaceful border community.
Thanks again for your support and God Bless Texas!
Senator Donna Campbell is a double-board certified physician woman of faith and proud mother of four daughters who represents the six counties which make up Senate District 25 stretching from San Antonio to Austin. Born on a naval base Senator Campbell grew up with a great respect for the military and law enforcement.
