EAGLE PASS, Texas — The City of Eagle Pass saw historic numbers of migrants crossing into the U.S. from Mexico with over 4,000 migrants crossing in a 24-hour span this week, according to Congressman Tony Gonzales.
The images from the ground were staggering. Hundreds of migrants could be seen being staged just outside Shelby Park in Eagle Pass, where they waited to be taken to a facility to be processed by Customs and Border Protection officials.
Congressman Tony Gonzales, whose district covers over 800 miles of the southern border, was in Eagle Pass on Wednesday demanding a bipartisan call for action.
“I am sounding the alarm as loud as I possibly can,” said Gonzales. “And anybody that’s going to push back against that, I will fight them with everything I have, because this needs to come to an end.”
Gonzales said the surge in migrants is taking a toll not only on federal agents, but also on the City of Eagle Pass.
“The City of Eagle Pass has received zero federal dollars in reimbursement,” said Gonzales.
Rodulfo Cardona, assistant fire chief and emergency management coordinator for Eagle Pass, said local resources are nearly exhausted.
“This has absolutely impacted us to the extent that we have resorted to overtime and activating an additional ambulance 24 hours a day, out of our own budget,” said Cardona.
Cardona said first responders have received over 800 calls that are migrant-related this year.
“Financially, that’s way over half a million dollars in loss,” said Cardona. “That’s just for the services provided. That does not include the overtime, that does not include personnel, that does not include fleet service and fuel… so, we’re definitely taking a hit.”
Cardona said the only hospital in Maverick County is at capacity.
“The hospital is saturated on a daily basis to the extent that we have to resort to treatment, no transport criteria protocols where our own citizens are affected and cannot receive the medical attention that they need,” said Cardona. “We try to do the best we can with what we have, but unfortunately this is the situation that we’re in right now.”
A native of Eagle Pass, Cardona said neighbors across Maverick County are feeling the impact of this recent migrant surge.
“The people are tired, they’re frustrated,” said Cardona. “Our personnel – not only at the fire department, but PD, the sheriff’s office, all of local law enforcement – they’re exhausted.”
“It takes a toll on everybody,” he added.
Many migrants are now making their way from Eagle Pass to the Alamo City.
In San Antonio, the money to care for migrants is also running out with federal funding on hold.
People staying at the Migrant Resource Center on San Pedro Avenue told KENS 5 the shelter is crowded. Data shows the center is at capacity. Nearly 700 cots were full Wednesday night, so many slept in chairs and on sidewalks outside the shelter.
A spokesperson for San Antonio's Human Services Department said in a statement that "the city, in collaboration with Catholic Charities, will continue to operate the Migrant Resource Center utilizing existing resources and services at capacity for as long as it is able. San Antonio must balance compassion with limited capacity. "
If you are interested in helping Catholic Charities feed and shelter migrants, click HERE.