Mariah Escobar/THE RIDER
Border Patrol checkpoints may be placed outside of Roma city limits past Loma Blanca Road, and between Rio Grande City and Escobares, although the location of the checkpoints have not been officially determined and can change, according to Roma Mayor Jaime Escobar, Jr.
“The federal government has a lot of say and so does the local government,” Escobar said. “But usually, the federal government and in matters of security and matters of immigration, that supersedes local power.”
He added there were indications of possible checkpoints from Border Patrol, but reports from social media and news outlets may send people into a panic making it a hot topic.
“Let’s remain calm,” Escobar said. “Let’s figure out what’s true and what’s not.”
He said, to his knowledge, the checkpoints may not be permanent and may be similar to the ones that were in Zapata.
“The federal government has long said that these checkpoints are necessary in order to engage in law enforcement activity, whether that’s concerns about unlawful, unauthorized migration or smuggling,” said Alvaro Corral, a UTRGV political science assistant professor.
Border Patrol checkpoints have often been subject to various lawsuits over time on the basis of racial profiling that have made their way to the Supreme Court, according to Corral.
“Local residents … some of them feel like maybe they’re being targeted, that why just Roma and why not other parts of the [Rio Grande] Valley,” Escobar said.
He added he does not want to pit Border Patrol or the federal government against the community of Roma because he does not want residents to live in fear.
“The common sense will tell me if people are afraid at all,” Escobar said. “Then, maybe they’ll decide not to come to Roma, but again we’ll have to wait and see.”
Starr County serves students who travel from Roma or Rio Grande City, and traffic may cause a concern among local leaders, according to Corral.
“From Rio [Grande City] to Edinburg, it takes me like an hour and 40 minutes [to get to campus] depending on traffic,” said Joleth Gomez, a social work sophomore who commutes to campus every day.
Gomez added she would have to make multiple changes to her schedule if the checkpoints are put in place, such as waking up earlier and scheduling classes later.
“I’m already waking up … at 6 in the morning, 7, and I honestly like to get home early,” she said.
Gomez said the potential checkpoints will cause more financial and academic stress than she already has.
Escobar said he is always going to be on the side of the people.
“Roma can work peacefully, and that our people remain calm, and realize that Roma is a very important place, where people can go to work freely, could go to eat freely without having any fears,” he said.
The mayor added he will meet with Border Patrol this week to discuss community concerns about the checkpoints.
“As mayor, my main responsibility above everything else is the security and well-being of our people,” Escobar said.
