South Texas Coalition of Mayors supports Biden’s new immigration plan

EDINBURG, Texas – The South Texas Coalition of Mayors has come out in support of President Biden’s new executive order on immigration.

Five members of the coalition were at the White House to see and hear the president make the announcement. They were mayors Ron Nirenberg of San Antonio, Victor Treviño of Laredo, John Cowen, Jr., of Brownsville, Ramiro Garza of Edinburg, and Norma Sepulveda of Harlingen.

The executive order will bar migrants who cross the border between international bridges from requesting asylum when undocumented crossings are over 2,500 per day. The restrictions will continue until they dip below 1,500 per day. Migrants who cross at international bridges can still request asylum. 

“This action will help us gain control of our border,” President Biden said, at a press conference held to announce the executive action. “If they (undocumented migrants) choose to come without permission and against the law they’ll be restricted from receiving asylum and staying in the United States.”

The border mayors were supportive of the new measure.

“It should have been done three years ago but we can’t really go back in time. I’m just glad action’s being taken,” Mayor Cowen told Dallas Morning News. 

Mayor Garza said: “It was an honor to represent our city today at the White House along with my fellow South Texas mayors at the President’s executive order announcement. I appreciate the administration providing a voice to South Texas and a seat that table on these important issues.”

Laredo Mayor Victor Treviño, a member of the South Texas Coalition of Mayors, was interviewed on the lawns of the White House by MSNBC on Tuesday, June 4, 2024.

Mayor Treviño was interviewed on MSNBC. He told news anchor Katy Tur that the executive order was a “positive measure” and the “first step” towards immigration reform.

Asked if the measure will work, Treviño said: “I think it will because, like I said, there’s nothing like living and working at the border to know what the reality is. And we know that this would have an impact.”

Treviño said that when it comes to border security, his city has a great relationship with Mexico and Nuevo Laredo. “We have a great collaboration. That’s why Laredo is one of the safest cities in the United States. And that has to do with binational collaboration with our counterparts in Mexico and Nuevo Laredo. It has to do with the presence of Border Patrol.”

Tur pointed out that the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and the Congressional Progressive Caucus have come out against the new executive order. 

“Well, everybody has a right to their opinion. But I think, in our way of living, our reality that we see here, I think it’s a positive measure. I think we should follow the laws and make immigration in an orderly fashion rather than what it is at this point.”

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