by Jack Phillips
More than 1,600 undocumented immigrants were arrested in three days in a single Texas border sector, according to the area’s chief Border Patrol agent. “More than 1,600 arrests in three days for agents of the Del Rio Sector!” Austin Skero, head of the Texas Del Rio Sector Border Patrol, wrote on Twitter. “These arrests include more than 25 smuggling cases, two criminal aliens and were mostly made up of single adults.” Later, Skero added that Del Rio agents detained a convicted rapist who had previously been deported. “Our officers arrested two more sex offenders over the weekend, one of whom was convicted of third degree rape in Kentucky,” he said in a news release Tuesday. “That is why it is vitally important that Border Patrol agents are there, at the border, identifying all those who cross our borders illegally.” Román GonzálezFlores, 49, a citizen of Mexico, was arrested after John Yarmuth (D-Ky.) said. “The American Rescue Plan is aggressive, no doubt about it, but researchers and health professionals have told us this is what it is needed to scale up testing, and to speed up equitable vaccine distribution. They said this is what is needed if we want to save lives and defeat this pandemic once and for all. Economists have also made clear what is needed to generate a strong strong, inclusive economic recovery. And, again, we listened,” he said. Others also said the bill would provide much-needed relief. “A once-in-a-lifetime pandemic requires bold investment and that is what the American Rescue Plan is. This bill invests $20 billion to get shots in arms and make sure everyone knows where, when, and how to get a vaccine. Many students are back in school or going back soon. California will get $15 billion to reopen safely and keep schools open to make up for lost time,” Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.) said on the House floor. “We’ve also invested in the backbone of our economy—small businesses. In fact, economists believe this bill can bring us back to near full employment in about a year. To ensure local governments can keep providing essential services, this bill delivers over $259 million to cities and counties in my district alone. Finally, this package invests in the American people. Direct payments, unemployment benefits, tax credits, and health subsidies will lift millions out of poverty.” Republicans asserted that the bill included a number of measures unrelated to combating the pandemic. Rep. Andy Barr (R-Ky.) argued the economy is already poised for a full recovery while accusing Democrats of “exploiting this pandemic” to pass partisan items such as giving money to state and local governments, and sending checks to prisoners. Lawmakers last passed a stimulus in December 2020, when former President Donald Trump was still in office. The $900 billion package included a round of stimulus checks, additional money for the Paycheck Protection Program, and supplemental unemployment aid.
