Images from Southwest Border reveal most are working-age men

Photos from Congressman Henry Cueller's (D-Texas) trip to the U.S.-Mexico border in South Texas provide some more details on exactly what's happening down there. Contrary to statements made by both the Obama Administration and pro-amnesty advocates, the border crisis is much more than women and children trying to escape violence and a bad economy in Central America.

Rep. Cueller's pictures depict dozens of working-aged illegal aliens filling up the Border Patrol offices in the Rio Grande Valley sector. Some are noting that the images are far different from some of the ones shown on network news.

We've been saying for years that when the federal government neglects its obligation to enforce the law and tosses around the idea of granting amnesty to illegal aliens, it becomes an open invitation for the rest of the world to come to the U.S. illegally.

In 2006, we witnessed one of the largest illegal-alien border surges in our nation's history when Congress was considering the Kennedy-Bush-McCain amnesty bill that was eventually defeated. Then, Pres. George W. Bush sent 6,000 National Guard troops to help the Border Patrol stem the tide.

We came to you earlier this week asking for action on an amendment offered by Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) to the 2015 Defense spending bill that would have shifted funding from other defense agencies to the National Guard to help assist the Border Patrol. But the bill manager, Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-N.J.) used a procedural move to block it. Rep. Gohmert is still fighting to offer his amendment.

Meanwhile, several Members of Congress have spoken out against the situation on the border. We've posted faxes thanking those Members on your Action Board. We've also posted faxes for the four border states, urging the governors to call up the National Guard to assist the Border Patrol.

Details from the border and the U.S. response are coming in fast and furious. In case you've missed it, here's a quick rundown of some of the top news items from the week:

* Vice President Joe Biden is in Guatemala today to meet with government officials from that country, El Salvador, and Honduras. All three countries represent the bulk of the illegal aliens who have crossed the border in recent weeks. VP Biden is expected to reiterate U.S. policy that anyone who crosses the border will not be allowed to stay in the country. Of course, this contradicts the administration's actions over the past few weeks where they've transported illegal aliens to undisclosed locations across the country until they can locate family members.

* Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton took a strong position on what to do with the new arrivals in an interview with CNN: "We have to send a clear message: Just because your child gets across the border, that doesn't mean the child gets to stay. So we don't want to send a message that is contrary to our laws, or will encourage more children to make that dangerous journey."

* Border Patrol Union Representative, Chris Cabrera, said gang members are among the illegal border crossers: "They are confirmed either by tattoos or by self admission. But since they have no criminal record in the United States, and they happen to be minors, they're reunited with their family in the U.S."

* House Judiciary Committee Chairman, Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), said immigration reform is "increasingly unlikely" this year because of Pres. Obama's handling of the border crisis and is using his position as committee chairman to demand answers from DHS.