In a hearing in southern Texas, lawmakers will spotlight the humanitarian crisis at border 'colonias.'

Residents living in sections near Colonia’s border with Mexico and Texas frequently do not have access to running water or sanitation systems.

On Friday, the United States Congress will hold a field hearing for the very first time on the southern border, highlighting the humanitarian crisis that is occurring on the American side of the border.

The Select Committee on Economic Disparity and Fairness in Growth, chaired by Representative Jim Himes (D-Connecticut), will visit “colonies” in the vicinity of McAllen, Texas. This will take place in the district of Committee Member Vicente Gonzalez (D-Texas).

Slums or settlements that lack critical amenities such as potable water, sewage treatment, and other requirements are referred to as colonies. Colonias can also be called shantytowns. They are a common sight in Texas, particularly in areas close to the border with Mexico. According to the research conducted by Pew Charitable Trusts, although some of the people who live in these settlements are not residents of the United States, the vast majority of them are citizens.

The chairman of the Select Committee on Economic Disparity and Fairness in Growth, Rep. Jim Himes, R-Conn., testifies at a hearing. On Friday, the select committee will visit destitute “colonias” near the southern border. (House Select Committee on Economic Disparity and Growth Fairness)

” According to Gonzalez, “We are spotlighting the regions where American people live in the United States under conditions that are comparable to those found in third-world countries.”. “We’re showcasing the regions where American people live in the United States.” “It is estimated that the annual income of a household in the United States is less than $15,000 per year on average. I believe that having my members witness it directly would assist us in making more informed decisions in Washington, therefore I will be bringing them down there.”