Four miles to be constructed instead of eight in Starr County

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Texas Border Business

WASHINGTON— Today, Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) released the following statement in response to a wall construction change order issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer, announcing that four miles of fencing will be constructed instead of the original plan to construct eight in Starr County:

“This is a big win for the Rio Grande Valley. I worked hard to include language through the appropriations process that would protect communities from an ineffective and divisive border wall. This change order reduces the number of miles from eight to four in Starr County. In turn, this will bypass the City of La Grulla and in the Roma area entirely, safeguarding them from fence construction. This comes as a result of ongoing efforts to engage the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to reach mutual agreements with local communities in Starr County regarding the design and alignment of border barriers.

“As a border representative, I understand how my constituents will be impacted by the proposed construction of a border wall— border communities and businesses in Starr County would be disrupted for years. That is why I added language in the fiscal year 2019 appropriations package to protect sensitive areas in the Rio Grande Valley and ensure that local communities have a say in determining the solutions that work for them.

“I will continue to work to protect ecologically-sensitive areas and ensure local communities have a voice at the table.”