Border Trade Alliance: A well-managed, well-resourced border is essential to our livelihoods

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – The Border Trade Alliance has commented on the visit to the Texas border by President Biden and former President Trump.

Biden was in Brownsville on Feb. 29. On the same day, Trump was in Eagle Pass.

BTA Chairman Lance Jungmeyer said:

“We are pleased that the president and former president took the time today to visit the border, which for the cross-border trade community is a place of tremendous economic dynamism and opportunity.

“For the private sector businesses who call the border region home, a well-managed, well-resourced border is essential to our livelihoods. We are hopeful that today’s visits gave a sense of the interconnectedness of the communities on both sides of the Rio Grande.

“But we also bear the burden each day of the dysfunction at the border. Since 2020, we’ve been forced to navigate disruptions like port of entry closures and prohibitions on travel that have harmed our bottom lines and eroded the quality of life in our communities.”

Jungmeyer is also president of the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas, an industry association representing importers of Mexican produce, based in Nogales, Ariz.

BTA President Britton Mullen also commented on the border visits of Biden and Trump.

“Our two countries depend on one another, transporting millions back and forth every day in consumer goods, automobiles, fresh produce, and more. Mexico is the United States’ No. 1 trading partner. If President Biden and former President Trump are looking for willing partners in devising policies that will promote security as well as economic competitiveness, we are ready to help.”

An El Paso perspective

El Paso County officials have also commented on the border visits of Biden and Trump. Two weeks ago, El Paso County Judge Ricardo Samaniego and his commissioner colleagues sent a letter to President Biden highlighting challenges faced at the border and concerns with the State of Texas’ border policies, specifically the imminent S.B.4 law that was set to go into effect on March 5^.

Judge Samaniego attended President Biden’s remarks event at the Brownsville Border Patrol Station. There, Biden highlighted the need for comprehensive immigration reform. Biden also met with U.S. Border Patrol agents, law enforcement and other local leaders. 

“The federal government should support border communities like El Paso County so we may  continue providing services to newcomers in a safe and humane way without overwhelming our local social services and law enforcement,” Samaniego said. “I’m hopeful that the President’s visit to the border will be an important step in improving our immigration system while allowing us to remain a welcoming community to recent immigrants.”

A Republican perspective

U.S. Rep. Monica De la Cruz, R-McAllen, has also commented on President Biden’s visit to Brownsville. She described herself as a prominent national leader on border security issues.

“Under President Biden’s watch, the United States is facing an unprecedented border crisis. Despite South Texas being a safe community, his administration’s reckless policies have compromised the security and well-being of both Americans and immigrants alike. Though nothing will ever repair the damage he has inflicted on our country, we expect the president to deliver a clear and actionable plan to rectify the harm he has caused. Anything short of that will be a slap in the face to our dedicated Border Patrol agents and every family that has suffered due to his administration’s failures,” De la Cruz said.

A Democratic perspective

Texas State Democratic Party Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa, a native of Brownsville, said Trump’s visit to Eagle Pass had everything to do with the presidential election. Hinojosa said Texas has trended Democratic more rapidly than any other battleground state for 12 years. He pointed out that in 2020, Joe Biden only narrowly lost Texas within a 5-point margin. Hinojosa said MAGA Republicans are well aware of Texas’ blue trajectory, and are actively organizing around border security to mobilize an extremist base.

“In 2024, Texas continues to be a pivotal battleground state, maintaining its position in the national political arena. MAGA Republicans recognize that they are losing ground in Texas, and that’s why they are positioning our border as their next boogeyman issue as they subsequently offer no real solutions. After Trump broke the border, MAGA Republicans killed the strongest and fairest border security funding in decades under Trump’s directive, and are using millions in tax-payer dollars to create a movie set for Fox News interviews,” Hinojosa said.

“Instead of supporting any real solutions, Donald Trump will now opt to visit Greg Abbott’s movie set for an appearance on the Sean Hannity Show alongside Ted Cruz. Meanwhile, President Biden is scheduled to engage in discussions with local officials, Border Patrol, and law enforcement to explore bipartisan solutions for border security. This sharp dichotomy underscores Biden’s fair approach to addressing border challenges compared to Trump’s cruel and inhumane policies that separate children from their families and refuse to solve any issues that aren’t politically beneficial to him. South Texans are sick and tired of the theatrics employed by MAGA Republicans for the sake of media attention, and recognize that it is the Democratic Party that stands ready to confront substantive issues and take meaningful action.”

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