Brazoria County commissioners pass immigration measure 5-0

BRAZORIA COUNTY, TX (KTRK) -- In an unanimous vote, Brazoria county commissioners passed a controversial resolution Tuesday morning.

The move followed more than an hour and a half of heated discussion. They approved a largely symbolic measure which says the county will not help pay to house children crossing into South Texas, demands the federal government solve the border crisis, and use deportation as a tool.

People on both sides of the debate voiced their concerns. Some supporting the resolution compared the situation to an "invasion." Those opposing the vote said it remains a desperate "humanitarian crisis."

The measure mirrors what League City and Galveston County passed two weeks ago in response to the border crisis. The resolution warns of crippling consequences if the surge of Central American children crossing into Texas is not stopped. Thousands continue to make the dangerous journey from their countries with hopes of calling America home.

The resolution reads in part "the increasing volume of illegal aliens could cripple some cities and counties in the State of Texas."

It also claims "members of dangerous transnational criminal organization and terrorist groups continue to exploit the situation to infiltrate the State of Texas for the purpose of establishing criminal and terrorist activities."

Immigration reform advocates are opposed to the largely symbolic measure. They said the children should be able to stay in the country.