A politician from the Hudson Valley is in Texas for a "fact-finding" mission on border security

Assemblyman Colin Schmitt for the 99th NYS Assembly District is currently on a five-day personally funded trip to the Texas-Mexico border where he hopes to learn more about illegal immigration.

"Arrived in Texas for our fact finding border security tour and economic development meetings," Schmitt wrote on Facebook on Monday.

According to Schmitt, issues at the border with Mexico impact his district in Orange County because many immigrants arrested by ICE are kept at the Orange County Jail.

“Our nation is facing a humanitarian and national security crisis at our southern border,” Schmidt said according to State of Politics. "This legislative session the NY legislature waded into that debate with very few members actually having first-hand knowledge of the situation. I look forward to seeing the situation first hand and taking the experience back to my colleagues for next session.”

On Monday, the Republican from New Windsor met with officials in Austin, Texas on the first day of his border security fact-finding mission.

He exchanged policy ideas with senior officials in Texas on a number of issues including border security, immigration, economic development and regulatory issues, according to Schmitt's Facebook.

"The first day of our fact-finding mission to Texas has been a great success. Meeting with local and state officials including the Lieutenant Governors senior staff has proven insightful into numerous issues including immigration, border security and economic development. Potential bilateral partnerships were discussed. We are now heading to the border for the next phase of our trip," he said.

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