FLYNN: Texas Will Not Accept Immigration Border Reform Without Securing the Border First

Commitment Must be Complete & Can Not Sustain Compromise Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas Immigration reform is not an issue that can sustain compromise; it must be a complete commitment if it is to be effective says State Representative Dan Flynn who serves on the Texas Houses Homeland Security Committee is an active member of The Texas State Guard and Co-Chairs the Select Committee on Transparency in State Agency Operations.     Since the day I took office I have been of the belief that securing our border must remain a major priority here in Texas. No matter how hard we in Texas work to address this issue no matter how much funding is increased or how many boots on the ground we provide Texas elected officials continue to battle the Obama Administration in Washington DC and their refusal to acknowledge the problem.

For more of State Rep. Flynns comments on the escalating Texas Border crises.

I am pleased to see the Conservative Republicans in Congress are beginning to speak out and publicly refuse to accept an immigration policy favoring amnesty. And I would like to reiterate my own serious concerns and those also held by many other Conservative Republicans in Texas of the necessity of securing our borders. Like many here in Texas we will not accept any policy without securing the border first. That is why I was happy to see the Republican Party of Texas (RPT) at their recent Convention in Fort Worth vote to eliminate the Texas Solution compromise from the partys platform. In 2012 the RPT voted to support language that allowed for undocumented workers to remain in the state on a sanctioned guest worker program in efforts to bolster workforce and our economy. While these efforts were noble and compassionate the process did little to fill vacant jobs at certain skill levels or curb the flow of undocumented workers and their families into Texas. I believe Texans along with the majority of Americans will no longer accept a perfunctory level of accountability. Instead they want accountability to serve as the driving force behind party philosophies fueling the desire to affect impactful policy initiatives. That is why I have actively pursued opportunities to visit the border and work alongside the men and women responsible for the borders security. As a member of the Homeland Security & Public Safety Committee I have a responsibility to be as informed as possible on the current issues affecting our state and its ability to provide security to its citizens. As a member of the Texas State Guard I have experienced firsthand the day-to-day demands of our state and federal border patrol agents; it has become clear that the issue of immigration and border security is not being openly and honestly addressed by the Federal Government and the current administration in Washington. Most recently reports of a surge in the number of unaccompanied children and minors crossing the border into Texas has grabbed the attention of advocacy groups and media networks. Latest reports find that hundreds of children are apprehended daily in the Rio Grande Valley area. These children must be placed in the care of Health & Human Services within 72 hours of apprehension and then enter into what is referred to as a Unified Coordination Group which requires the child to receive health screenings medical vaccinations and short-term placement in a shelter until a family member or sponsor can be located in the United States. If not they await approved if possible to be placed in our foster care system. While some news outlets report the influx of illegal immigrants is a result of heightened violence in Central America Mexico and other parts of the world many at the U.S. Customs & Border Protection Agency (CBP) believe this is a ploy orchestrated so those apprehended receive permisos or notices to appear officially putting them into deportation proceedings. The immigrants usually are released to await a court date giving them a chance to fade into the shadows in the interior of the United States where they know they will be ignored. An unsecured border means a greater burden to Texas and Texas taxpayers. Friday Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott reached out to the current administration and asked for $30 million in aid for state-based border security operations. In his letter to U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson Abbott states

... We have grave concerns that dangerous cartel activity including narcotics smuggling and human trafficking will go unchecked because Border Patrol resources are stretched too thin. Securing the U.S.-Mexico border is the federal governments responsibility. Because that simply is not happening the State of Texas is seeking emergency funding to help support state-based border security initiatives.

I applaud General Abbott for appearing resolute in his demands of the federal government. The statistics offered by General Abbott cannot be denied. In order to provide the securities and incentives necessary to draw people to our great state we must continue to be an example of unwavering principal. Since October the Rio Grande Valley sector of the U.S. Border Patrol has apprehended about 33500 of the estimated 47000 unaccompanied minors who have crossed the border illegally. So today I applaud the American people and the great people of Texas for standing resolute on an issue that deserves our attention and the attention of those elected to be our voice. So long as we hold ourselves and those we elect to represent us accountable in their promises and actions I believe these obstacles can be overcome. I am reviewing possible legislative options for the upcoming session and intend on fully supporting any measures that clearly deny entry to illegal aliens and work to promote safety and security throughout Texas. As an active member of the Homeland Security Committee and The Texas State Guard I pledge to continue the fight to secure our borders. I vow to continue my work with our federal elected officials to see it is done and done well. It remains my pleasure and honor to represent all the people of House District 2. My staff and I continue to welcome your input and your questions. You can contact our office by emailing District2.Flynn@house.state.tx.us or Toll Free at 800-734-9515. May God continue to bless you and the Great State of Texas! State Representative Dan Flynn a Republican from House District 2 has consistently been ranked as a Top 10 Conservative since being elected in 2000. Flynn was named East Texas Legislator of the Year in 2013 for his principled conservative leadership Champion of Free Enterprise" for his work to protect private sector businesses from regulation & mandates and a Texans for Fiscal Responsibility Texas Taxpayer Hero.