The impacts of the crisis along the U.S.-Mexico border are many. For farmers and ranchers in Texas, Arizona, New Mexico and California, the crisis threatens personal safety, causes serious financial hardship and disruption, and overwhelms local resources.
The personal accounts are real. Some identities are protected due to safety concerns for those sharing their story.
Act Now
The U.S. must secure its borders and enforce lawful immigration. Texas Farm Bureau asks federal and state authorities to help mitigate this problem, as soon as possible.
The current situation is untenable. Farm and ranch families are bearing the brunt of this unprecedented influx. Please contact your federal and state elected leaders and urge them to take action.
Click here to find your elected officials.
Farm Bureau letter to Biden administration urges “swift action”
Texas Stories
Emily King: Read the Newsweek story
South Texas Rancher: Watch the video
Stephanie Crisp-Canales: Watch the video
Brian King: Watch the video
Dale Smith: Watch the video
Bill Martin: Watch the video
John Paul Schuster: Watch the video
Marcus Canales: Watch the video
Kate Hobbs: Watch the video
Arizona Stories
Jim and Sue Chilton: Watch the video | Read the article
David and Tina Thompson: Watch the video | Read the article
Drew and Micaela McGibbon: Read the article
Frank Krentz: Watch the video
New Mexico Stories
In the News
Texas ranchers feel abandoned as Biden gets set for State of the Union: ‘We need relief’
Texas ranchers impacted by border crisis share emotional story
Thousands of migrants awaiting processing under international bridge in Del Rio
Border sheriffs testify in support of border security funding
Supreme Court orders ‘Remain in Mexico’ policy be re-instated
Duvall travels to U.S.-Mexico border to hear TFB member impacts: Read the story | Watch the video
Farm Bureaus urge swift action by federal government to address border crisis
TFB supports RAPID Act as short-term help for farmers, ranchers impacted by border crisis
Legislation reimburses farmers for border damages
Kinney County rancher Brent Smith outlines border crisis impacts and damages
TFB President Russell Boening discusses need for reimbursement of damages for landowners
TFB President Russell Boening discusses Farm Bureau letter to Biden administration
USDA NRCS Reimbursement Program
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Texas is offering financial assistance to farmers and ranchers along the southern border currently impacted by damage to fields and farming infrastructure, including fencing and water structures.
Eligible counties in Texas include Brewster, Brooks, Cameron, Crockett, Culberson, Dimmit, Duval, Edwards, El Paso, Frio, Hidalgo, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis, Jim Hogg, Jim Wells, Kenedy, Kinney, Kleberg, La Salle, Live Oak, Maverick, McMullen, Pecos, Presidio, Reeves, Starr, Sutton, Terrell, Uvalde, Val Verde, Webb, Willacy, Zapata and Zavala.
Funding is available through the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP).
NRCS accepts applications for conservation programs year-round. However, farmers, ranchers and landowners should apply by July 5 to be considered for this year’s funding. Applications for this enrollment opportunity will be selected for funding by Aug. 5. NRCS is allowing early start waivers and a shorter enrollment period.
Eligible farmers and ranchers can use the funds to implement eligible practices including fencing, watering facility, range planting, livestock pipeline and more. To apply for EQIP assistance, farmers and ranchers should contact their local USDA Service Center.
Governmental Resources
Kinney County Sheriff Brad Coe Discusses the Situation: Watch the video
Governor Abbott Issues Disaster Declaration in Response to Border Crisis in Texas
RGV Sector Border Patrol Agents, Local Enforcement Partners Discover 82 Migrants in One Stash House
U.S. Border Patrol Southwest Border Apprehensions by Sector
Border Patrol Finds Five Abandoned Unaccompanied Migrant Children
Release Date: May 10, 2021
RGV Agents Apprehend Two Large Group of Migrants
Release Date: May 10, 2021
Border Patrol Operations Lead to the Arrest of 41 Migrants
Release Date: April 27, 2021
CBP Notes Uptick In Dangerous Illegal Immigration Attempts On Trains
Release Date: April 26, 2021
Brownsville CBP Officers Seize $1.3 Million Worth of Narcotics in Four Seizures
Release Date: April 23, 2021
Kinney County Officials Issue Disaster Declaration
Release Date: April 21, 2021
RGV Agents Continue Disrupting Smuggling Operations
Release Date: April 20, 2021
Laredo CBP Officers Seize $790K in Cocaine Over the Weekend
Release Date: April 20, 2021
Upcoming Meetings
This section will include information on local meetings related to the border crisis.
Share Your Story
The Texas Farm Bureau Communications team wants to help share your story of how your family and farm and ranch operations are being impacted by the border crisis.