Nathaniel Puente 
McAllen- For the first time since 2006, a sitting president visited the Rio Grande Valley. President Donald Trump landed in McAllen on Thursday to travel to the border. Accompanying the President were several Texas politicians such as Senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, and various local leaders.
Also in the area were supporters and protestors, who lined 10th Street hoping to make their voice heard.
“I would like to make it known to Donald Trump that if he wants to help the people of this community, the people of McAllen, Texas, the people of the Valley, then he should push for better programs for the American worker,” said Julio Salinas, a protestor in the area.
“The house I’m in, there’s bars on it for a reason. People will come in and steal stuff,” said Victoria Pizano, a supporter of the border wall, “so we put up a fence and that stopped it. So when you take that little picture and expand it, you don’t want people to come over here and try to steal.”
The demonstrations were mostly peaceful but at times altercations erupted.
Local politicians also gave their opinions on what the President should take away from his visit.
McAllen City Commissioner Javier Villalobos said, “I’m hoping that even though yes, the President is here for border security and national issues, our local area is safe and it’s a great place to live.”
Both supporters and protestors are hoping for different outcomes from President Trump’s visit to the Valley. The whole nation awaits his final word on the border crisis.
Click on the video below to watch the full story.
