In 1999 sheriff martinez was promoted to the rank of sergeant of Narcotics Service in eagle, texas. Served in this capacity until his retirement, 2007; 2009 elected sheriff of val verde county. Of rank elected sheriff of elverde county and the sheriff of yuma county, arizona and Law Enforcement in yuma for over 30 years. Since service in the United States marine corps and electe mr. Leon wilmot is the sheriff of yuma county, arizona. Worked in Law Enforcement for the county of yuma for over 30 years since completing his service in the United States marine corps, and was elected to sheriff of yuma county in 2012. Continues to serve in this capacity. Final witness is the honorable eddie trevino, who is judge for Cameron County, texas. Hes served in Cameron County for 15 years. Hes a partner and founder of trevino and bodden law firm; was then elected as brownsvilles mayor from 2003 to 2007. And in november 2016 elected to Cameron County bench, where he currently serves. I want to thank all of you for being here today. Full statements will appear in the record. I know many of you have flights to catch, so with that the chair recognizes mr. Mccraw for his testimony. Well, thank you, mr. Chairman and Ranking Member thompson. Texas has, as you know and weve heard testimony already about how big texas is, and, congressman hurd, thank you for pointing that out. But its i think its obligatory to note that 1,200 to 1,900 miles belongs to texas, and thats very important and it does impact what happens on the border doesnt just stay at the border; theres consequences throughout texas and the nation. , thank you for pointing that out. It is obligatory to note that 1200 to 1900 miles belongs to texas, that is very important. It does impact what happens at the border, doesnt just stay at border, there are consequences throughout texas and the nation. We have talked to the secretary who did a great job to testify and some of those consequences of the heroin epidemic happening in the northeast than congressman fitzpatrick was worried about mp in 2014 when he was overwhelmed by the search and influx of central americans, it was a threat from a texas standpoint, governor, state legislature, proactive about doing something when it comes to protecting people and they are concerned about the influx of gangs, transnational gangs, cartel operatives, members, cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana. And the other things that hasnt been talked about today, is sex trafficking. We are sent down there to do something, work with our federal partners but importantly coordinate with local and state partners. National guard, also texas game wardens. In direct support of the u. S. Border patrol to border Border Patrol between the points of entry. As we have seen in doing so, you cant influence the amount of drugs coming in and the amount of illegal aliens coming in. Theres no question about it. Border patrol cant control physics. Can you go back to fitsback to when they were taxed by ocmpd and said, it can be done. But they recommended what kelly was talking about today. Rather than wait for it to come in, prevent it from coming in in the first place. Theres many positive aspects of doing that. Thats the texas way weve been obligated to work with Border Patrol at the river. Not inward. And we have looked at fence and height, stack it, with water to sensors, cameras, towers, balloons, helicopters. And of course weve got 14 aircraft dedicated specifically to support Border Patrol agent on the ground. We have a tactical marine runity which i never thought we would have the opportunity to have the navy there and we do now. Thats what Border Patrol needed at the time. We dont need yesterdays technology for tomorrow. Those sensors are archaic. The private sector, expert in developing, technology and making it work, thaents what weand thats what we did in terms of making it work. We have 4,000 detection cameras, that are infrared, that they installed, not us. Border patrol installed them. We support them and help their capacity. But because they dont have that technology and they need it. Ive got no question whatsoever. I understand and the governor has been clear about this and so has legislature. We know Border Patrol can secure the u. S. Border. And the new chief named was an outstanding border chief. No question that he can do it. If given the resources to do so. And we look forward to working with the brave men and women of Border Patrol until that time. Can i tell you this, on behalf of the state legislature, i get to speak for them a little bit and governor as i talked to is chief of staff last night. Theres a concern that the amount of money we continue to spend at the state level and to a federal mission, it is right now, weve theres a price tag over 1. 4 billion. But our leaders and legislators have said we can provide money for the Border Patrol. Last thing we want to do is diminish or degrade what is out there. Im concerned as i report tomorrow before the Senate Finance hearing is what im going to say. How am i going to explain. We are hoping strategically to get out of this. We have 732,000 deaths on texas highways. Not to mention Trans National gangs. Not to mention rescuing children who were victims of predators on our highways by troopers and another 626 by special agents. We have a lot to do inside the state of texas, including Trans National gangs. Texas is a hub city for ms13. Simply because of an unsecure border. We must deal with those things. Right now our directive is to continue to support Border Control as we are and do everything we can as secretary kinley said, how fast can they do it . How long will it take to get those resources in place . With that, mr. Chairman, i conclude my testimony and questions. Thank you, steve. Chair recognizes sheriff martinez. Distinguished members, thank you for the opportunity to address you today on issues that affect every citizen in my border county. The state of texas and the United States of america has spent 39 years as career Law Enforcement professional. As immediate past chairman of the Texas Border Coalition and current chairman of the coalition i dedicated my Law Enforcement career to serving the citizens of the state of texas right on the texas mexico border. Both at the state level and as a member of the Texas Department of Public Safety of local Police Department of city of del rio and now sheriff of vel verde county. The Texas Border Sheriffs Coalition is comprised of 20 borders all within 20 miles, 25 miles of the mexico border sharing approximately 1254 miles of texasmexico border with the republic of mexico. Vel verde county shares approximately 110 miles of border with a mexican state. The southwestern Border Coalition concludes the state of california, arizona, new mexico and texas combining for a total of 1989 miles of border between the United States and republic of mexico within the 1900 miles of border from san diego, california to brownsville, texas lie 31 counties. The terrain throughout much is from rural rafrm land, high desert to desert like valleys to ranges and most belong to private land owners. Some are national or state parks. So the need for each of these individual counties is unique in its own way. The coalition was founded in 2005 to find an effort to a regional solution to national problem. We all share common issues but there is no one issue more important than making sure that we secure our communities and which the people feel safe in homes and surroundings. Sheriffs have a vested interest in the Law Enforcement, social Impact Health and overall quality of life of those that we serve. Sheriffs are unique in the understanding of the pulse of their communities and public that evaluates during election time that determines whether they stay employed every four years. The Texas Border Sheriffs Coalition was organized and prep and is represented by chief Law Enforcement office ef of each respective county. Texas sheriffs empowered by the state constitution are committed from National Security perspective to protect the lives and property and right of the people by maintaining order and security in the United States, along the republic of mexico border and enforcing laws impartially while providing Police Service and partnership with other Law Enforcement agencies and community partners. The consequences of unsecured border are failed throughout the United States. Each county sits the the gateway into our country and is the first line of defense in dealing with Law Enforcement, social Economic Issues for both first line of defense in dealing legitimate and illegitimate trade and travel. Fshlegitimate trade and travel. Immigration responsibility lies within the federal agencies. Agencies we work with everyday have had a difficult job in carrying out duties due to administrative policy issue answers changes and not laws on our books. Sheriffs only encounter immigration issues as a buy product of other criminal acts which are referred to the federal government for their actions. Which are referred to the federal government for their actions. Wee of the problems encounter most are drug smuggling, murder, rape, Sexual Assault, Trans National organizations, and the list goes on. As many of you know, the lower population and Property Values most counties lack a sufficient tack base to support a multifaceted needs of the Sheriffs Office. Each and every one of us are affected directly if one way or the other by what happens on the protectedt is as national safety. The problems here are manpower, travel and training, equipment, direct operatingen and answers contract services. Texas sheriffs Border Coalition have a more effective and less expensive approach base owned partnership of action. The solution by the Texas Coalition is one of cooperation and being at table to discuss issues that affect all of our commune oints a daily basis, all federal state and Law Enforcement need to Work Together as we move forward in finding a solution and securing borders and our future. No one single form of government can go it alone. The plan for security in the communities along the border with mexico as presented by members of the Texas Border Sheriffs Coalition is to provide a regional solution to a national problem. Plan is based on partnership of action and not rhetoric. It is based on cooperative agreements and willingness to watch Lessons Learned and put into place best practices. We have ownership in the respective communities and they understand how from a Law Enforcement, economic, social, health and environmental perspective. In support of the men and women working on the front lines each and everyday. The differences in solution on Community Impact and policies ad enacted by people 1000 miles away. Thank theke to community for this opportunity to address the needs of border sheriffs. God bless the United States of america and every officer on the front line. We appreciate your work on the border with all of the sheriffs. Afternoon chairman mccall, Ranking Member thompson, members of the committee. Geographical perspective we are at the southwest border on the state of our zone a border of the state of arizona. We have 110 miles of International Boundary with the state of mexico. From a historical in 2005 the plus illegal injuries. The occurs of effective drug and organizationsing in yuma county not only diminish the quality of life of county placed strain on budgets and resources of private and government agencies. The community, unfortunately, experienced a spike in crime such as rape, robberies, theft of property, home invasions, tractor and vehicle theft, assaults on Law Enforcement officers, military incursions by the mexican army, and ransom holding those who cross the border for additional moneys. The organizations along the was International Boundary the explained eloquently when he testified in his own words they are highly sophisticated and innovative in transportation methods. Aside from our normal use of human backpackers, which we refer to as mules, clandestine tunnels, vehicles, trafficking organizations have resorted to old for a light aircraft in gps controlled drones which cannot be detected with normal radar. They have been using cloned vehicles of Law Enforcement and legitimate companies. Recently they are utilizing catapults, tshirt launchers, as well to get bundles of marijuana into the u. S. Awaiting coconspirators. I witnessed the escalation of violence on our citizens and can been successes that accomplished through a quarter enforcement responses with local , federal, state partners working in cooperation with the prosecuting agencies. In fiscal year 2008 the number of illegal injuries was 50,900 in comparison to the 270 something on thousand in in 2006. Fencing to the vehicle barriers, camera systems, upgrades, border manpower,increased the implementation of operation streamline, a Program Designed for 100 prosecution of illegal injuries caught in italy entries caught in a legal activity. We were able to have a force multiplier along the border area that could not be done within agency budgets. Operation stone garden assisted with the overtime and a quick read we needed. The comprehensive recommendations are linked to federal leaders. Need to redefine the plan and build upon those successes. Need to have the political will to make Border Control and mandated program. Border security first, Immigration Reform second. To embrace those that work the border and our federal partners. Jobs and the dangerous their frustration is high based on the unknown complexities in their assignments. They have great ideas to share, and it was refreshing to hear the general speaking about how he would go to east geographic locations and sit down with those areas to see what was best for that geographic area. Continued funding for operation stone Garden Program is vital to our success, but we need to remove the funding from fema. They are cumbersome to Law Enforcement in being able to do our job. Move it into Homeland Security where they know what is best for our mission as we partner and work alongside federal partners. Reimbursement of state criminal alien apprehension program. It has been devastating to our budget every year. Sheriffson is with the of arizona had to swallow as we centsnly regime first fivby on the dollar for housing illegal aliens that had committed crimes in our counties. Partnership has proven to be beneficial in bringing overdue solutions to our unsecure border. Fortunately Border Security is a Discretionary Program or federally elected leaders that have been interested to protect freedom of liberties. One would hope that securing our border would not become about a , but a legal and moral requirement to safeguard all americans. This addresses committee and instills fresh hope that our voice matters. I agree on all counts. Judge . Good afternoon. I want to thank secretary Kelly Service totinguished our country and his visit south of the border. I hope it was productive and many were to come. Cameron county borders the gulf of mexico and is part of the rio grand valley. We are also home to the south daughtry island, a Tourist Destination for many in the United States and mexico. This hearing could not have been timelier. Facilitation of legitimate trade and travel is a reality we live with every day. As a locally elected official i have an obligation to try to inform this panel to make costeffective decisions that will work longterm and be effective for all of us. On the border we have endured many policies, many Unfunded Mandates. Ou just heard several of them after 9 11 we understood the sudden changes to life on the border. We believe in the rule of law and what our country to be safe and secure. Any resident answered the call to def