The next is a transcript of an interview with Rep. Henry Cuellar that aired on Sunday, Dec. 18. 2022, on "Face the Nation."
MARGARET BRENNAN: We now wish to go to Democratic Congressman Henry Cuellar whose district covers about 200 miles of the US-Mexico border, together with town of Laredo. Good morning to you, Congressman.
REP. HENRY CUELLAR: Good morning to you, Margaret.
MARGARET BRENNAN: There are 8000 border crossings per day, that quantity might double in accordance with estimates as quickly as this week. You characterize a variety of border patrol brokers. Are they ready? How is morale?
REP. CUELLAR: Nicely, initially, morale is just not good, as a result of they really feel that the administration would not have their backs. Primary, quantity two, are they ready? No, even the $3 billion that you just talked about some time in the past, that cash is—goes for use for processing, goes for use for meals and shelter and transportation and migrants. It would not handle the difficulty that we're going through on the border. You recognize, there's hundreds of persons are coming in, however you bought to have a look at one factor. In the previous couple of years, we had over 35,000 rescues, Border Patrol saving individuals that might have died. We even have 1400 those who died, together with youngsters. Now, is that this probably the most humane manner that we're addressed asylum? No, I believe what we have to do is have a pathway the place they undergo the bridges in an orderly manner. After which, after which Margaret, if they do not comply with that pathway, I believe we have to ship them again and say comply with a manner. I am going to end with this analogy shortly. It is like if someone invitations me to go to their home for lunch, however I determine to undergo the again door and are available by way of home windows. I determine to convey an entire bunch of individuals, determine what hours I are available. It would not work that manner we as a rustic must set the asylum—
(CROSSTALK)
MARGARET BRENNAN: Proper
REP. CUELLAR: procedures in place.
MARGARET BRENNAN: However as you understand, it is further difficult with Venezuelans and Haitians and Cubans and people who find themselves coming that may't be despatched again to their international locations of origin. How do you remedy for that?
REP. CUELLAR: Yeah, I imply, for sure, these three international locations Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua, these are international locations which are slightly bit extra difficult. However you understand, the highest fifteen international locations embrace Colombia, Mexico, and contains additionally Peru, Ecuador, and within the high fifteen you even have Russia, India, Georgia, the state additionally and Turkey additionally. So within the high fifteen, persons are understanding internationally that the again of the southern border is open.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Congressman, now we have much more to speak to–speak to you about on this. So I would like you to remain the place you're. We've to take a fast business break. And we have requested all of you to remain the place you're.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
MARGARET BRENNAN: Welcome again to Face The Nation. We wish to proceed our dialog now with Congressman Henry Cuellar. Congressman, in a letter to the President this week, you warned that this week when Title 42 lifts, they're going to have a whole lack of operational management over the southern border. And that is going to have a profoundly damaging affect on border communities. You recognize, the White Home is saying that they have a plan right here. Why are you saying they do not? What's it that you're listening to?
REP. CUELLAR: You recognize, they have been speaking about this plan for the final two years. They have been enjoying, they have been enjoying -blaming the Republicans have been blaming Congress. How lengthy is that this plan going to - take - what's going to it take into impact? I've seen that plan with all due respect. A variety of it offers with processing transferring migrants from the border over to the inside. We have to have a manner that we are able to have a coverage the place if Title 42 goes away, it appears to be like like it should go away - except if the Supreme Courtroom steps in- if it goes away, they should have a coverage of a orderly pathway to asylum by way of our bridges. And if they do not comply with that pathway, they want to return, you understand, they have to have one thing in place. I've regarded with all due respect. I've checked out that plan. And I do not suppose it is, you understand, they have been speaking about it. It hasn't labored. Now they're asking for the $3 billion or so, it is primarily for meals and shelters, processing, transportation, nevertheless it would not actually discuss safety.
MARGARET BRENNAN:So that you additionally pledged on this letter to work on bipartisan laws. That is not going to get completed within the subsequent few days. What's it that you just're envisioning within the new Congress that's going to be attainable with a Republican managed Home?
REP. CUELLAR: Yeah, I imply, positively, the–the one factor we are able to do is add more cash. I do not know if it's going to be the $3 billion, however there will be monies there to fulfill the President's request for as a lot as attainable, primary. Subsequent yr, I imply, it should be a present in so some ways and you understand, impeaching the Secretary would not transfer us one inch nearer to fixing the problems, and I hope that we are able to have the President. The President can do that–can implement a coverage of a orderly course of for–for asylum on the bridges and if not, they return. They gotta have a consequence. The President can try this. As a result of look, remember in 2014 –
(CROSSTALK)
MARGARET BRENNAN: By government order?
REP. CUELLAR: Yeah, nicely–nicely take a look at it I imply President Obama did not have immigration reform, did not have all of the issues that folks have been asking for, however he was in a position to handle the border in a significantly better place - a manner. So the President, President Biden can do that. However with all due respect, I believe his advisors are doing a disservice to him.
MARGARET BRENNAN: I am certain the White Home would say it is a hemispheric surge. It is worse than it is ever been. I–I wish to get to one thing you've got been elevating persistently, is, you've got been faulting President Biden for failing to go to the border. Coverage consultants would say, you understand, photograph op would not do a lot. To you, what does going to the border truly obtain? And do you suppose it is, the rationale he hasn't gone is as a result of the White Home is afraid it should backfire that the border brokers you are speaking about shall be disrespectful to him?
REP. CUELLAR: Nicely, look, there's other ways of visiting the border. He would not should go there for only a photograph op. However you understand, a frontrunner has to indicate photos of being up there within the entrance. He–he can try this. He–he can do it in so some ways. And I am not asking for a photograph op. However I believe that message that may go to not solely the women and men in inexperienced and blue, however to the border communities–I am extra within the border communities will, say, hey, look, I am the President of the US. I am right here on the border, border communities, I really feel your ache.
MARGARET BRENNAN: All proper, Congressman, we shall be watching what occurs within the coming days. Good luck to you and your group. We'll be proper again.