Texas Democratic Congressman Henry Cuellar, whose district borders Mexico, expressed optimism about collaborating with Tom Homan, the incoming border czar, to enhance border security measures.
Despite facing opposition from fellow Democrats over his support for stricter deportation policies, Cuellar remains committed to finding practical solutions. He emphasized the need for swift actions like implementing “stay in Mexico” policies and expediting deportations under Title A.
“We can deport people quickly under Title A, we can do ‘stay in Mexico,’ we can do so many things on policies that can work right away,” Cuellar said Tuesday. He revealed ongoing discussions with Homan, indicating plans to meet in Washington, D.C., in the coming week. “I think we can find a lot of common ground,” he added.
Cuellar acknowledged the importance of deporting criminals and addressing national security concerns, urging Democrats to align on at least these priorities. “Some Democrats hesitated when I asked if they could agree on deporting criminals. That would be a mistake,” Cuellar remarked.
The Congressman also criticized Mexico for not doing enough to combat fentanyl trafficking and migrant crossings but expressed hope that President-elect Donald Trump’s tariff threats could push Mexico to the negotiation table. “Laredo handles 40% of all U.S.-Mexico trade. No one wants a 25% tariff, and this leverage could bring Mexico to the table to solve issues like immigration and fentanyl,” he said.
Cuellar, a vocal critic of the Biden administration’s handling of the border crisis, reiterated the need for bipartisan solutions to address the challenges overwhelming border cities and communities.
