Recently introduced legislation, the Reimbursing Agriculture Producers for Immigration Damages (RAPID) Act, would create a reimbursement program for producers who suffer losses as a result of illegal border crossings.
The bill was introduced by Reps. August Pfluger (R-TX-11), Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX-15), Henry Cuellar (D-TX-28) and Tony Gonzales (R-TX-23). The act would reimburse producers for livestock damages, fence or structure damage, or property losses.
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) applauded the legislation. “Texas ranchers are facing significant hardships amid a flood of illegal border crossings and must continually fix cut fences and damaged infrastructure,” said Hughes Abell, TSCRA president.
