Rodriguez: There is no correlation between migrants crossing the Rio Grande and crime in McAllen

MCALLEN, Texas – On the same day the Department of Defense announced it was expanding a militarized zone along the southern U.S. border, McAllen Police Chief Victor Perez said there is no correlation between migrants crossing the Rio Grande and crime in his city.

In an interview with the Rio Grande Guardian, Perez said no matter whether the numbers of migrants crossing the Rio Grande was going up or down, the amount of crime in McAllen is on a steady downward path. 

Rodriguez gave the interview immediately following his presentation of the McAllen 2024 Annual Crime Report. He gave the presentation at the McAllen Chamber of Commerce. The event was sponsored by McAllen International Airport and McAllen Crime Stoppers.

“This is our 17th crime reduction in the last 20 years, Rodriguez said. “And this past year, we recorded the lowest crime levels in McAllen in 38 years. That means we now report less crime than we did back in 1985.”

Here is a video recording of the interview:

According to the Associated Press, the Department of Defense is expanding a militarized zone along the southern U.S. border where troops are authorized to detain people who enter without documentation for possible federal prosecution on charges of trespassing in a national defense area.

The zone is on land previously under the control of the international boundary and Water Commission. It has now been transferred to the General Services Administration and designated as a national defense area.

“The Air Force announced Monday the annexation of a serpentine 250-mile stretch of the border in Texas amid a buildup of military forces under President Trump’s declaration of a national emergency at the border. A Defense Department official said the Navy also has been instructed to establish a new national defense area at the border. The official didn’t provide further details,” the AP reported.

“The newly designated national defense area on land and water along the Rio Grande spans two Texas counties and runs alongside cities including Brownsville and McAllen. It will be treated as an extension of Joint Base San Antonio. The Air Force said it’s prepared to install warning signs immediately against entry to the area.”

Those two counties are Hidalgo and Cameron.

Hidalgo County Judge Richard F. Cortez said:

“My current understanding is that the Secretary of Defense has ordered the establishment of a new national defense area encompassing areas of Hidalgo and Cameron County,” Cortez said.

Cortez said that to his knowledge there has been no direct communication between Hidalgo county officials and the Department of Defense regarding the establishment of the National Defense area. 

“These are uncertain times, and as Hidalgo County Judge, I welcome the brave servicemen and women who have volunteered to protect our nation. But I also encourage the Department of Defense the United States Air Force leadership to visit with us local leaders as soon as possible. It’s imperative that we all understand the mission and objectives so that we may work together to protect our citizens.”

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