Rep. Escobar discusses Ft. Bliss migrant facility in talk on border situation

EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14) — On Thursday, Democratic Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (D-TX) addressed some of the biggest issues surrounding the current situation at the U.S.-Mexico border.

“We as a country have shrunken pathways for legal migration. So, it should not surprise us that people seek other avenues. Irregular, undocumented avenues,” Escobar said.

Escobar talked specifically about the migrant facility at Fort Bliss. The facility was created to house 5,000 unaccompanied minors. Currently, Escobar said there are fewer than 3,000 children and teens at that facility.

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“The choice is either emergency facilities like Fort Bliss where they are under HHS care, Health and Human Services, or in CBP custody being guarded by an agent with a gun and a badge," Escobar said.

Escobar said the minors in HHS custody have resources like mental health counselors, case workers and access to health care.

Escobar also addressed a new bipartisan bill introduced by Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX).

The bill would establish four regional processing centers in El Paso, among other locations in border cities. It would also increase staffing at facilities and hire 150 immigration judges to help with a two-year backlog of asylum cases.

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Escobar said she doesn’t support the bill.

“It calls for very quick adjudication. That means if you are seeking asylum and after the trauma of a journey, you don’t have every document you need within a very small window, I think it’s 72 hours, then your asylum claim is denied,” Escobar said.

Escobar added she’d be happy to work with Gonzales on a more tangible and balanced idea.

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