Hidalgo County issues disaster declaration as Title 42 expires

EDINBURG, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Hidalgo County Judge Richard F. Cortez issued a disaster declaration Thursday afternoon as Title 42 expires tonight.

Cortez said he issued the declaration after he received credible information from federal officials of large groups of migrants amassing near the border.

These groups could potentially surge the border once Title 42 expires, according to the release.

“I have received credible information from officials with Customs and Border Protection that large groups of migrants are probing our international border in search of crossing points,” Cortez said. “I have decided to declare this emergency as a first step in securing all available state and federal resources to ensure the health and safety of our residents.”

The disaster declaration goes into effect immediately and last for seven ...