TFB supports RAPID Act as short-term help for farmers, ranchers impacted by border crisis
(WACO, Texas)—The state’s largest farm and ranch organization applauds the introduction of the Reimbursing Agriculture Producers for Immigration Damages (RAPID) Act in Congress to reimburse farmers and ranchers for damages and vandalism occurring on their property due to the border crisis.
The bipartisan proposal by U.S. Reps. August Pfluger, Tony Gonzales, Henry Cuellar and Vicente Gonzalez of Texas repurposes monies from the American Rescue Plan to reimburse America’s agricultural producers for damages stemming from illegal immigration, including: livestock loss, crop damage and loss, damage to perimeter fences, damage to physical structures and property loss and damage.
“Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) supports the RAPID Act. We are thankful for the efforts of Congressman Pfluger, Gonzales, Cuellar and Gonzalez to provide short-term financial assistance to the farm and ranch families who are shouldering the burden of the border crisis,” TFB President Russell Boening said. “The long-term solution to this crisis is securing the border. Action is needed now to secure the border, first and foremost. That is the only way this crisis can be addressed.”
The legislation establishes the Emergency Land and Food Program to implement reimbursements, while prioritizing agricultural producers located in counties with high levels of immigration along the southern border.
Boening said TFB is listening to the concerns of many farmers and ranchers who have experienced significant property damages due to the influx of illegal immigration.
“Texas farmers and ranchers must continually repair cut fences and damaged infrastructure, as well as face threats to their life while on their private property,” Boening said. “We commend the bipartisan legislation filed to address these financial hardships and look forward to working with the Texas leaders behind the RAPID Act and others in Congress to pass this legislation.”
TFB spearheaded a national Farm Bureau effort in June urging top Biden administration officials to recognize the border crisis and take swift action to help farm and ranch families impacted by the surge of illegal immigration.
Farmers and ranchers along the border continue to share stories of financial hardship and disruption from the surge of illegal immigrants. View their stories on TFB’s Border Crisis Impacts webpage.