Congressman Vela Resigns From Hispanic Caucus, Cites Border Surge

Apparently, someone seems to care about the militarization of the Texas border. Congressman Filemon Vela of Brownsville tendered his resignation from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus to protest the so-called “border surge” that became the only reason Senate Republicans supported the Gang of 8 bill.

The first-term Brownville Democrat announced his decision to resign in a short email over the weekend following overwhelming Senate approval of the enforcement-heavy legislation.

Vela said he was concerned that the bill conditions a pathway to citizenship for people living in the country illegally on militarization of the border, including additional hundreds of miles of border fence.

“I hereby resign,” Vela said.

Vela is not the only border representative who has shown this kind of concern.

Other Texas lawmakers, including Rep. Pete Gallego, D-Alpine, and Rep. Beto O’Rourke, D-El Paso, have criticized enforcement measures in the Senate bill as wasteful measures that could hinder trade.

One would figure that Democrats would listen to Mexican American representatives who actually represent the area which would be affected by the “surge.”

There’s no doubt that the immigration bill is in danger of dying on the House side, either by amendment or simply by it being ignored in favor of more punitive “border security” measures which do not include any path to citizenship. Vela’s lone voice is sure to rattle the CHC a bit, but unless more voices are heard each side of the debate will go about its respective business.

Nonetheless, this blogger is glad someone spoke up.