Torres Small says more customs, border patrol agents needed for influx of asylum seekers
U.S. Rep. Xochitl Torres Small says U.S. customs and border patrol are in desperate need of more agents to deal with the influx of asylum seekers crossing in to the U.S., and she is introducing legislation to bolster the number of agents.
"We don't have the manpower to process asylum seekers," Torres Small said in an interview with the Albuquerque Journal on Friday. "We don't have the manpower to stop the illegal activities coming across the border."
She is introducing the bipartisan U.S. Customs and Border Protection Rural and Remote Hiring and Retention Strategy Act with Rep. Will Hurd, R-Texas. The legislation would require CBP to come up with a strategy to address recruiting and retention issues.
The freshman Democratic lawmaker represents New Mexico's 2nd Congressional District, which covers New Mexico's 200-plus miles along the border with Mexico.
Read more: https://www.lcsun-news.com/story/news/local/new-mexico/2019/03/10/border-patrol-agents-needed-xochitl-torres-small-new-mexico/3123159002/
New Mexico's second congressional district, highlighted in this map from Rep. Xochitl Torres Small's congressional website, includes 175 miles of border with Mexico and three ports of entry. (Photo: Screenshot)
