A Texas rancher, speaking to Fox News’ Dana Perino about the drastic problems he and other ranchers face from illegal immigrants crossing the border, told her, “We’re under siege here” as dogs could be heard barking in the background as officials reportedly chased after illegal immigrants on his property.
South Texas rancher John Sewell said, “I’ve already caught three this morning before breakfast,” adding later, “We’re nervous as to what we can get away with and what we can’t get away with. These people, it seems like, (have) more rights than we do.” Near the end of the interview, he pointed out, “These people are coming to you guys. They’re not staying here with us.”
After playing a clip of President Biden’s State of the Union speech in which he spoke of immigration reform, Perino stated, “It’s one thing to do so in the corridors of power; it’s quite another for folks who are dealing with the unfolding crisis at the southern border day in and day out.”
Perino began by remarking to Sewell, “Those of us watching this issue, covering this issue, we’re here in New York or Washington D.C., but you’re there on the front line. You have a ranch and you are dealing with this. What was it like when you tried to — with the other group of ranchers — go and try to meet with officials to tell them that the situation’s out of hand for you?”
“Well, Dana,” Sewell replied, “the takeaway that we got from yesterday was a couple hundred people put together by the South Texas Agri Women, so people that have husbands in the field every day, ranching and farming, and the basic thing we got from this yesterday, unfortunately: we’re not gonna get a lot of support from the CBP. They basically said their hands are tied and the best thing for us is to work with our state reps, our Congress, so on and so forth, local officials. And they are all doing as much as they can; I’m sure our local guys are really going at it, wide-open, and so on and so forth. You know, it’s very unfortunate we don’t have support from our CBP.”
Perino noted that Democratic Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, who is running for reelection, said of President Biden’s State of the Union speech, “What I didn’t hear tonight was a plan to address the immediate crisis at the border and I will continue holding this administration accountable to deliver the resources and staffing necessary for a humane orderly process as we work to improve border security, support local economies, and fix our immigration system.”
While Perino was speaking, dogs barked in the background at Sewell’s ranch. She continued, “I just feel, it seems to be, having been there, that there’s a lack of urgency being expressed.”
“Dana, I’m sorry,” Sewell stated. “I’ve got a group of guys coming looking for some immigrants, you’re going to have to put it back at me again. I’m just gonna tell you that we, we’re not getting the support as the U.S. This is not panning out good for us. We’re under siege here. And when I say that, I’ve already caught three this morning before breakfast. I don’t even know — ”
Perino interjected, “When you say you’ve caught three of them, what do you do?”
“I obviously call the Border Patrol,” Sewell replied. “That’s our first line of defense. And that’s another thing: we’re nervous as to what we can get away with and what we can’t get away with. These people, it seems like, (have) more rights than we do. It’s very unfortunate that we’re having to battle this and the CBP is telling us that all they do is enforce policy. Well, if the policy from the administration is catch-and-release, let’s say, that’s all we’re doing. We’re taking them back to the border, testing some, testing, maybe all, I don’t know the true answer to that. And turning them loose in the U.S., we’re not sending them back. And I said it before and I’ll say it again: These people are coming to you guys. They’re not staying here with us.”
Wrapping up, Perino said, “And I take it, as you said, there were people there. Officials there, and we heard some dogs in the background, so, interesting thing for you John; this is not your job. You’re a rancher and you want to ranch.”
Sewell offered, “You guys need to come spend some time with me; I’ve said that before; it will amaze you if you can see the everyday challenges that we are dealing with.”
“I would like to,” Perino concluded.