Residents urge Caldwell County court to rescind 'disaster declaration'; others defend it

Dozens of residents used the court's allotted public-comment time Sept. 24 to press Caldwell County Commissioners Court members to reconsider a 2022 disaster declaration tied to border enforcement and Operation Lone Star.

Jordan Buckley, a local property owner, framed migration as a natural phenomenon and told the court, "I ask you to repeal the disaster declaration." Kennen Yostra Vina, an attorney with Latino Justice, told the court he was "here today urging you to withdraw the resolution 3-2023, the so called disaster declaration," saying "there's no emergency at the border" and that the declaration amplifies fear and misinformation. Bob Bridal, a consultant to Human Rights Watch, cited reporting and his organization's work, saying Operation Lone Star has cost Texas roughly $11 billion and "has led to injuries and deaths," and warned the court that a declaration of support would not unlock federal funds for the county.

Several speakers urged keeping the declaration. Herb Sladek of Dale said he supported Governor Abbott's disaster declaration and asked the court to retain it so funds could support sheriff and fire coverage. Len Gabei, a Lockhart resident, cited disaster-relief precedent such as pandemic-era PPP funds and said declarations can provide resources for local services. Mike Lewis, a former Air Force officer, called the declaration "BS" and urged the court to rescind it.

Other commentaries focused on the emotional and community impacts of the declaration. Alicia Torres said the declaration's language stigmatizes people who "look and sound like me" and asked the court to rescind it so families will not feel unsafe in everyday activities. Soma Franco described fear and the prospect of family separation under enforcement programs and urged the court to be "the first to stand with us" and rescind the declaration. Several speakers, including Megan Walker, urged the court to consider revising the resolution's language collaboratively rather than allowing the issue to be used for partisan advantage.

Court members did not vote to rescind Resolution 3-2023 during the meeting. After public comment the court proceeded to business on the published agenda, including routine approvals and new motions. The public-comment period produced a range of claims — from data citations about criminal-conviction rates to allegations about Operation Lone Star's costs and harms — that court members did not resolve during this session.

The court's next scheduled regular meeting remains the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 9:00 a.m., per the court's vote later in the session.