Cuellar Rejects Laredo Border Wall, Cites 53% Drop And CBP Tech Push

Rep. Henry Cuellar pushed back on a revived Laredo border wall plan, calling it a '14th-century solution' and pointing to a 53% year-over-year drop in illegal crossings as evidence that tech and staffing are working. He and Mayor Treviño oppose a wall within city or residential limits, favoring more CBP/Border Patrol personnel, surveillance upgrades, improved patrol roads, and vegetation removal. Recent deployments of troops and National Guard Stryker vehicles with infrared capabilities were cited as part of the strategy. Cuellar highlighted funding wins for agent staffing and overtime and urged bipartisan support to expand technology and targeted enforcement.