Congressman August Pfluger summed up his trip to the U.S. – Mexico border in McAllen with one statement.

“Every border patrol agent, high-ranking down to agents in the patrol cars, told me that there are no consequences for people coming across the border,” he said.

The San Angelo Republican whose district includes Midland and Odessa said stated this lack of consequences is the main reason that there have been more than 2 million people who have crossed the border illegally this year and last. Each month, 200,000 people do so, according to Pfluger.
 
“It’s such a tragic situation,” said Pfluger, who told the Reporter-Telegram during a phone interview that he met hundreds of people along the border or in detention facilities. 

“They’re having to pay on average 5,000 bucks, that’s anecdotal, but they’re paying anywhere between $1,500 to $10,000 per person to get here,” Pfluger said.

He added that when Mexican immigrants arrive in the United States, they typically still have to pay cartels and human trafficking organizations “a lot of money.” The congressman also detailed atrocities that take place at the border, specifically against women.

“I think the border patrol agents are estimating that at least 30% of the women have been sexually assaulted on their journey up here, which takes 15 to 30 days,” he said.

Pfluger also addressed the persistent threat of the dangerous narcotic, fentanyl, and the use of drones at the border.  

“A lot of times it’s being delivered by drone. A drone will pop over the border and drop it where someone can pick it up, a pre-coordinated place,” he said about fentanyl trafficking. 

Pfluger added that drones are being used to spy on the border for areas where patrol agents are not as prevalent. “They know where the border patrol agents are, and they go someplace else,” he said.

He stated the United States has laws on the book that could put an end to these issues, but they aren’t being enforced, which allows cartels and human trafficking organizations to cause chaos. 

On Tuesday, Pfluger met with local law enforcement, including sheriffs and police chiefs from Midland-Odessa and a representative from the Department of Public Safety. 

“I just listened,” said Pfluger, who added local law enforcement said 80-90% of the crimes being committed in Midland-Odessa are related to drugs.