| News Center 23 Rio Grande Valley

WASHINGTON D.C. — Congressmen Rubén Hinojosa (TX-15) and Filemon Vela (TX-34) sent a letter (see attachment) to President Barack Obama asking him to see firsthand the surge of migrants along the Texas border with Mexico, particularly in their districts of Deep South Texas. (Letter was sent to White House today)

President Obama announced he will use his executive authority to strengthen the border and fix as much of our broken immigration system as possible because Republican Speaker of the House, Rep. John Boehner refuses to bring comprehensive immigration reform to a vote.

Here are Congressman Rubén Hinojosa's statements on the Congressmen's invitation, President Obama's action on immigration today, and his request to Congress for federal emergency funding to be used for the influx of immigrants along our border:

"To fully comprehend what is happening in our region, one must see this firsthand because one will certainly be impacted by the humanitarian side of this issue," said U.S. Rep. Hinojosa. "We know the President is committed to helping all that he can and has already taken aggressive steps. Now we would like for him to see what the needs are for the refugees, our federal agents and our volunteers. More work needs to be done."

"President Obama is taking necessary action to bypass the gridlock that Republicans have forced here on Capitol Hill when it comes to bringing comprehensive immigration reform to a vote," said U.S. Rep. Hinojosa. "I agree with the President wanting to move forward because I have seen firsthand the despair of parents and children who are separated from their families. I have met with agricultural businesses in my district and across the country that are having trouble staying afloat because they cannot find workers. Immigration reform is a moral imperative and this country must get past the politics and find a solution to this pressing problem.”

"I also applaud the President's request of Congress to approve and move federal emergency funds to be used to address the surge of immigrants and to send much needed resources to the border," said U.S. Rep. Hinojosa. "Federal agents and volunteers are in dire need of more personnel and supplies to help process the incredible influx of refugees who are coming to the United States. We must take care of these immigrants, especially the vulnerable children, in the most humane way possible. One of the other aspects of this situation is finding more immigration attorneys to assist in processing these refugees through our legal immigration system. The conditions these children and mothers have to endure are deplorable and shameful, and we must correct this immediately."

Congressman Ruben Hinojosa and Filemon Vela invite President Obama to Texas