Border Security Council Report - Office of the Governor - Rick Perry
Border Security Council Report - Office of the Governor - Rick Perry
Border Security Council Report - Office of the Governor - Rick Perry
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Appendix C: Public Hearing and Open Meeting Minutes<br />
22<br />
Appendix C: Public Hearing and Open Meeting Minutes<br />
<strong>Border</strong> <strong>Security</strong> <strong>Council</strong> Public Hearing<br />
Oct. 1, 2007 - McAllen, Texas<br />
Members Present: Chair Carlos Cascos, Vice Chair Robert Holt, Sec. <strong>of</strong> State Phil Wilson, Sheriff Tomas<br />
Herrera, Sheriff T. Michael O’Connor, Scott McLaughlin, Fred Burton and Allan Polunsky.<br />
Members Absent: Buddy Garcia, Judge Val Beard, Judge Becky Dean Walker<br />
I. Meeting called to order at 9:00 am by Chairman Cascos.<br />
II. United States and Texas pledge led by Rep. Veronica Gonzalez.<br />
III. Amanda Arriaga gave an introduction regarding <strong>the</strong> purpose <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Border</strong> <strong>Security</strong> <strong>Council</strong>.<br />
IV. Public testimony:<br />
A. Steve McCraw, Director, <strong>Office</strong> <strong>of</strong> Homeland <strong>Security</strong>, <strong>Governor</strong> <strong>Rick</strong> <strong>Perry</strong><br />
<br />
Mr. McCraw provided an overview <strong>of</strong> homeland security threat, including <strong>the</strong> problem with<br />
transnational gangs.<br />
B. Aaron Pena, State Representative<br />
<br />
Was recognized and in attendance, but did not provide testimony.<br />
C. Kino Flores, State Representative<br />
<br />
Was recognized and in attendance, but did not provide testimony.<br />
D. Juan Escobar, State Representative<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Helped author <strong>the</strong> bill that created <strong>the</strong> <strong>Border</strong> <strong>Security</strong> <strong>Council</strong>.<br />
The threat is real and <strong>the</strong> criminals are sophisticated.<br />
Three major “hotspots” – Gulf cartel, Juarez cartel, and Pacific corridors; help Rio Grande<br />
Valley.<br />
If any BSC members have federal influence, write to your congressman and ask for more<br />
experienced personnel to be sent to <strong>the</strong> <strong>Border</strong>.<br />
Helping to prosecute at state drug courts would help. The courts are in need <strong>of</strong> additional<br />
funds.<br />
E. Veronica Gonzalez, State Representative<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
SB 11 allows for Enhanced Drivers Licenses. It allows DPS to set a fee to administer <strong>the</strong><br />
program.<br />
She hopes <strong>the</strong> public understands that <strong>the</strong> BSC was not created to discuss <strong>the</strong> fence or<br />
immigration reform, but <strong>the</strong> lines between state and federal responsibility are blurry.<br />
Virtual technology can be used more effectively along <strong>the</strong> border than anything else.<br />
F. Victor Rodriguez, Chief <strong>of</strong> Police, McAllen, Texas<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The U.S.-Mexico border is an immigration reform target.<br />
It is a bad idea to build a fence along <strong>the</strong> border.<br />
The federal government should do a better job <strong>of</strong> creating immigration legislation to fix <strong>the</strong><br />
current problem.<br />
<br />
The support that <strong>the</strong> <strong>Border</strong> Sheriffs Coalition provides basically amounts to a fence.