Reimburse border cities for stepping in when feds couldn’t – mySanAntonio.com

Express-News Editorial Board

Photo: Jerry Lara /San Antonio Express-News

Reimburse border cities for stepping in when feds couldnt

There is a dispute on whether the state can release federal funds to border cities as reimbursement for providing humanitarian aid during a 2014 crisis. Thats when Central American immigrants arrived unexpectedly and in large numbers to the Texas border.

The state says they cant under the rules as they understand them. The feds tell the Houston Chronicle it can, as does a member of Congress who should know.

Given that one item is not in dispute that these border cities provided this aid at local taxpayer expense we urge state officials to see it the cities (and, apparently, the federal governments) way.

Heres the issue: In 2014, Central Americans, fleeing violence and oppression in their countries, arrived in waves. They mostly gave themselves up to border authorities. Many were unaccompanied minors. The federal government was unprepared, so Rio Grande Valley cities provided transportation, food and other amenities. McAllen alone says it provided some $700,000 in out-of-pocket expenses.

McAllen Mayor Jim Darling told the Houston Chronicles Paul Cobler: Really, it was an extension of what the federal government would have provided if they had the facilities to be able to do it.

Thats absolutely correct. These cities to the tune of about $1 million did the federal governments job.

But Gov. Greg Abbotts office says it has been told by the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA that these expenses are not reimbursable from current federal appropriations. But FEMA tells the Houston Chronicle that the expenses can be reimbursed from current appropriations.

Obviously, someone is wrong.

U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, who has inserted language into appropriations bills to pave the way for the reimbursement, says it is Texas.

We put this language that allows the monies for southwest border states that get these Homeland Security dollars to do the reimbursement, he said. So, if they wanted to use it, they can definitely do that.

Some ascribe other motives to the governors office, which has made its mark weighing in against undocumented immigration. We prefer to view it as a misunderstanding.

But it is a misunderstanding that begs for clarity and immediate action.

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Reimburse border cities for stepping in when feds couldn't - mySanAntonio.com