After Baltimore Bridge Collapse, Escobar Says Migrants Deserve ‘Respect’

After the collapse of the Baltimore bridge, Texas Representative Veronica Escobar (D) highlighted how the immigrants who work on the nation’s infrastructure often go forgotten or ignored.

“This week's tragedy reminds us that despite the pressure of demanding jobs, exhausting environments, and their demonization, immigrants do this as part of their shot at the American dream. They deserve our respect, recognition, and a fair attempt at making that dream a reality,” said Rep. Escobar.

On Tuesday, the Francis Scott Key bridge collapsed after the cargo ship personnel lost control of the vessel and struck the bridge. Thankfully, the crewmen alerted the Maryland Department of Transportation and the local authorities closed the bridge prior to the crash.

New information has emerged and shows that 2 bodies have been recovered and 6 are presumed dead. The names of the two individuals whose bodies were recovered are Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, 35, of Baltimore, and Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, 26, of Dundalk. A survivor was released from Shock Trauma on Wednesday morning.

The bridge’s collapse has sent many lawmakers into overdrive as they try to address the multiple issues connected to the tragic event. For Escobar, the collapse was a vivid reminder of migrants who often work in construction jobs.

Lawmakers have been split as to how to address the many migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border every day. Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R), for example, has continuously tried to push legislation that will tackle the issue in a quick and direct way. However, Abbott’s legislation has been criticized for being too harsh and inhumane.

One of his bills, SB 4, has taken a major hit after a federal appeals court refused to put the controversial immigration law back in effect.

Texas Republicans have repeatedly pushed for Governor Greg Abbott’s (R) bill. However, the recent 2-1 ruling that came at the hands of a conservative appeals court makes it seem extra unlikely that the law will ever go into effect—a major blow for the Texas governor.

“For nearly 150 years, the Supreme Court has held that the power to control immigration—the entry, admission and removal of noncitizens—is exclusively a federal power,” wrote Chief Judge Priscilla Richman.

Richman continued, “Despite this fundamental axiom, SB 4 creates separate, distinct state criminal offenses and related procedures regarding unauthorized entry of noncitizens into Texas from outside the country and their removal.”