Congressman Henry Cuellar is a democrat from the border town of laredo, texas, which has seen an incredible surge in cubans crossing the Mexican Border into the u. S. Congressman cuellar when you see the numbers, it is literally mindboggling. Sharyl after several years of averaging only about 7,000 a year, the flood of cubans began reaching 24,000 in 2014, 43,000 in 2015, and another 25,000 in the past five months, meaning this year could top the others. Most of them come in through cuellars district in laredo. Congressman cuellar 45,00047,000 have come in through just the port of laredo. Sharyl its by far the biggest flood of cubans to the u. S. Since the mariel boatlift in 1980 a mass exodus after cubas castro government announced anyone who wanted to would be allowed to leave. 125,000 came to the u. S. Many on flimsy rafts. The law was amended in 1995. Now, cuban citizens intercepted at sea are turned back. But if they can manage to get one foot on u. S. Soil, theyre allowed to stay. Its called wet foot, dry foot. Can you explain what the socalled wet foot, dry foot policy is for the United States . Congressman cuellar it basically says that if somebody from cuba touches land in the u. S. , they get to stay here. They dont have to show that theres credible fear or their asylum or a refugee. Sharyl cuellar, whose father was born in mexico, says hes prolegal immigration, but insists u. S. Law gives cubans an unfair advantage. Congresman cuellar i can understand if somebody comes in and makes their case and says, credible fear, refugee, asylum you make their case in front of an immigration judge, but what other country gets a blanket, just get to the u. S. And youre in . Nobody else gets that. Sharyl the new surge happened obama would be changing the u. S. Relationship with cuba. President obama we will end an outdated approach that, for decades, has failed to advance our interests and, instead, we will begin to normalize relations between our two countries. Sharyl if our relationship with cuba is warming, why so many people in the last two years flooding across our border trying to come here . Congressman cuellar basically, they think that this new relationship with the u. S. Means that congress is going to change the cuban adjustment act. It means that theyre going to take that away. So, they want to come in and take advantage of this law while it still exists. Sharyl would you go so far as to say the administration was keeping this secret . Surely, they knew about these massive influxes. Congressman cuellar without a doubt they knew about it, no ifs or buts. Why they were not providing that information, why they were not even providing that information to members of congress that represent those areas is without, with all due respect to the administration, i dont think that was the right thing to do. Sharyl cubans have been streaming into laredo almost every day. They look for the cuban flag a few steps from the entry gate into the u. S. And know that the man inside this modest office will help. Alejandro ruiz came to the u. S. From cuba in 1992 and has found a calling sheltering new arrivals like sarahi casas. She, her husband, and 9yearold son have been living with alejandro for the last month. [speaking spanish] sarahi if it wasnt for alejandro and dania, which is the other girl, we would still be in that stairwell from the day we arrived. Sharyl Belkis Mora Suarez is a doctor. She arrived this week, happy to leave cuba behind. Speaking spanish] []dr. Mora suarez i have opportunities, im a doctor. I have opportunities to get my children out of cuba. Because there they dont have a life, they dont have a future. Sharyl ruiz gets them Social Security cards and helps them fill out paperwork that immediately qualifies them for federal benefits, including food stamps and a cash payment starting at 445 a month for nine months. After one year, they get permanent legal residency. Alejandro ruiz i love my country. I love my people. I never go back to cuba, because i need to do this for them. They need this type of support. Sharyl the route to laredo has been roundabout. Very few cubans are allowed to fly directly to the u. S. , so theyve flown to ecuador, made their way to costa rica, paid 555 to board chartered flights to mexico, and then walked across the u. S. Border into texas. Last month, cuellar visited a camp of Cuban Migrants on the journey in costa rica. Congressman cuellar do you understand that in my area theres you have unaccompanied kids who are claiming very dangerous areas like honduras and other places because of the drug violence and the very highest murder rates in the world and theyre trying to flee that violence and youre coming in more because you want want to you know another system besides castro . The person looked at me, he smiled and says, i understand, congressman, but as long as we have this cuban adjustment act, were going to take advantage of that. Sharyl cuellar has authored a bill to end the cuban adjustment act, but isnt optimistic about its chances in a president ial election year. The white house didnt respond to a request for comment, but obama spokesman josh earnest said in january that there are no plans to change the policy. Costa rica and other countries are already beginning to clamp down on their visa policies. Ahead on full measure it is springtime for the trump campaign. Good evening, it is me, donald j trump. In case you are wondering, the j stands for genius. Sharyl it was only a few months ago that pundits and c sharyl citizen trump. Pundits have talked themselves sideways looking for a label to hang on the donald since he entered the race last summer. Billionaire. Reality show star. But one that some never imagined is republican nominee. With a major win last week and three more states up this week, trump has had success beyond all predictions except perhaps his own. How could the experts have been so wrong . Scott thuman reports its the Media Coverage thats looked more like a reality show. Mr. Trump we have something happening that makes the Republican Party probably the biggest political story anywhere in the world. Scott donald trump is the leading republican candidate for president. The gop frontrunner has won nominating contests in nearly 20 states and a u. S. Territory. Trump also has more than half of the 1237 needed to clinch the gop nomination. Howie i and a relatively few other people said, dont underestimate donald trump because i knew what a tough customer he was in new york. Scott howie kurtz is a media critic and host of Fox News Media buzz. Howie the media spent months and months missing the donald trump phenomenon. Never have so many been so wrong about one candidate. Scott its an outcome few expected would happen some nine months ago when trump officially announced his bid for the white house. Mr. Trump i am officially running for president of the United States and we are going dismissed in the media. Mr. Trump, as a serious candidate for republican nomination, is so stupendiously, incredibly idiotic. Sharyl and mocked by latenight comedians. We dont get dizzy with the blades of the helicopter looks like when they spin around. Good evening. Its me, donald j. Trump. In case you were wondering, the j stands for genius. [laughter] scott one news site even going as far as covering his campaign in its entertainment section. Over the summer, candidate trump was consistently on the airwaves of broadcast news channels with his candidacy helping draw in record viewership during the republican primary debates. What did it mean by all of us underestimating donald trump early on . What was the impact of that you think . Howie it probably helped donald and mocked and minimized him, because he was able to run against the media. Scott now, trumps summer stump has turned into his winter of winning. The new york businessman turned politician has outlasted contenders analysts once predicted had a better shot at winning the republican nomination. Howie donald trump utterly changed the rules of campaigning. The way in which he conducts himself was supposed to be utterly unacceptable for somebody running for president. Except when you win most of the states, people say, wow, i guess that worked. Scott according to mediaquant, a firm that tracks Media Coverage, donald trump has received nearly 2 billion worth of free Media Coverage over the course of his campaign. Thats more than all the remaining 2016 president ial candidates combined. But not all of the Media Coverage trump has received has been positive. Mr. Trump donald j. Trump is calling for a total and complete shutdown of muslims entering the United States. Scott despite making several statements analysts predicted would derail his candidacy, trump has consistantly polled higher than any other candidate seeking the republican president ial nomination. Now, pundits and politicans are taking trumps candidacy seriously. Prompting mitt romney, the Republican Partys 2012 presiddential nominee, going as far as to deliver a speech making the argument that trump is unfit to lead the party. Mr. Romney let me put it very plainly. If we republicans choose donald trump as our nominee, the prospects for a safer and prosperous future are greatly diminished. Scott with House Speaker paul ryan voicing concern about the violence hes seen at Donald Trumps campaign rallies. Speaker ryan this party does not prey on peoples prejudices. We appeal to their highest ideals. Scott but the front runner is capitalizing on his outsider status calling to unify the fractured Republican Party, while at the same time warning of possible riots if he is denied the nomination in a contested convention. Howie the Republican Leaders kind of rigged this thing to get a consensus around an early front runner front runner would be donald trump. And i think now, for all the talks of a contested convention, republicans are pretty much going to have to live with the candidate who has won the most states and the most delegates. Scott another sign donald trump is very much in the drivers seat there was supposed to be another Republican Debate monday night in utah. He decided he did not want to attend and fox news and the gop canceled the entire event. He is coming here to washington to speak to a proisrael political group. Ted cruz and john kasich are following suit. Sharyl the republican establishment is very concerned. Scott the level is significant. There are reports that the gop conservative leaders met and discussed two options this week do we coalesce behind donald trump . Or could we possibly come up with a candidate, at the last minute, to derail his candidacy and become the nominee . If so, how would all that play out . Sharyl and who would it scott exactly. Sharyl thanks so much. Full measure, we continue our reporting on the southern u. S. Border. Glenn the republicans government shutdowns threatening federal workers; now theyre refusing to even consider president obamas nominee for the supreme court. It disrespects the president and all of us and we wont put up with it. In congress, ill protect president obamas legacy, defend obamacare, and stand up for Social Security and medicare. Im glenn ivey and i approve this message. Ill take on republicans for all of us. Tuesday is primary day , includingates arizona, where immigration is a big issue, as it is everywhere in this president ial campaign. There is another harsh reality on the border that you may be surprised to hear exists in america. U. S. Border towns so influenced by the influx of illegal smugglers and drugs, its worked its way into the fabric of daily life. To see for ourselves, we visited douglas, arizona, a town of about 17,000. Its just across the border from the mexican town of agua prieta, a famous battle site of the mexican revolution in the early 1900s. Our guide is a douglas native and Border Patrol agent who views the towns challenges as a testament to the larger border problems facing the u. S. Agent del cueto its just wellknown. Its just wellknown whos involved in drugs. Its wellknown on both sides. Sharyl for u. S. Border patrol agent art del cueto, the dusty drive south to his hometown of douglas, arizona is a twisted trip down memory lane. Agent del cueto this is 10th street. I grew up here and i remember driving through these streets all the time. Sharyl at the douglas port of entry agent del cueto as a kid, we used to go into mexico all the time. Sharyl he still finds a familiar face. A billion dollars in legal trade passes thru this port each year. And then theres the illegal trade. Unknown amounts of marijuana, opium, and heroin are smuggled in vehicles or across the fence. On the other side of the fence is the mexican city agua prieta. Agent del cueto in this area, on the south end, its basically the sinalo sharyl its a wellknown drug smuggling corridor controlled by the most powerful Drug Trafficking organization on the planet. Agent del cueto look at this house. If i had that much money, where i could afford that house, i think agua prieta, at the border, would be last place i would have built that house. Sharyl its become a constant theme in douglas and other u. S. Border towns the corrupting influence of mexicos drug cartels has worked its way into the community in ways that Many Americans would find shocking, but local residents take for granted. Agent del cueto unfortunately, living and growing up here, its easier to take the bad road. Its less taboo to do the bad thing than it is to take the high road, than it is to do the right thing. Sharyl growing up, drugs were plentiful and often free for the asking. Agent del cueto when i was in 6th grade was the very first time that i saw heroin, the first time that i saw someone using heroin, and it was another kid in junior high. Stands for douglas. Its used as a navigation marker by smugglers. Have you ever wondered what douglas would be like if it werent for the drug trade . Agent del cueto three fourths of the town wouldnt be here. A lot of douglas exists because of the drug trade. Sharyl come to a town like this in arizona and ask about drug cartels, and its not a bad idea to have extra security. We did. Fear of retaliation from the drug cartel interests is why this local resident asked not to be identified. He told us he was approached by drug traffickers operating in douglas. They just walked in. It was closing time and they took out a large amount of cash and told me, this is how its going to work. You dont know if youre going to be assaulted maybe a gun was going to pull out. I just didnt know what to do. Sharyl and so how did you get out of that situation . I just took my stand and i told them that from day one, you know, my parents always told me,youre never going to dirty our name. Work hard for your money. Its better to have no money than dirty money. Traffickers is why his business rent was tripled, forcing him to close down. Daniel nunez also resists pressure and temptation. He comes from agua prieta each day, where he lives, and takes classes to work legally in this douglas coffee house. Sharyl do you walk over . Daniel yeah. Sharyl you must have friends and people you know who got mixed up in crime and bad things . Daniel yeah, actually i have a lot of friends in mexico. They cross drugs. They telling me, do you want to smuggle . Do you want drugs . Thats something, thats something that i dont do. I dont want that for me. I want to, like i say, i want to grow up, be a good person, have my work, have job. Sharyl before the drugs, douglas was the smelter city, a booming, western, copper smelting town, a stones throw from the rich discoveries of gold, silver, and copper in the 1880s. The grand Gadsden Hotel stands as a reminder of douglas heyday. Legend has it that mexicos revolutionary general pancho villa rode his horse up this staircase and chipped the 7th stair from the bottom right there. But the smelter shut down in 1987. 347 jobs and 27 Million Dollars a year evaporated from the local economy. Mexicos emerging drug trade was there to fill the void. Robert uribe envisions a different future for douglas. Hes an artist from the Dominican Republic who owns the coffee shop. Robert douglas has all the elements laid out to be successful again, i think. Were in the process of finding that identity. Sharyl uribe settled here after marrying a local. They hope to help convert the town into a Tourist Center and art colony. Robert im very excited to be able to present douglas a new idea, a new vision. Sharyl and no one has approached you and tried to ask you to launder money. Robert no one. Sharyl or be part of this. Robert ive not experienced that. So that, to me, shows me that people respect what we do. So, i hope that they dont approach me with any of those suggestions of wanting to do anything thats illegal because thats not what we do. Sharyl del cueto would also like to see a different future for his hometown, but says its a monumental fight given the current state of the border. Agent del cueto tucson sector is still responsible for over 50 of all the drugs coming into this country. Thats humongous, thats a huge, huge amount. You see people further into the country that say it cant be that bad, it cant be that bad. It is that bad. I remember running around this block. Sharyl today, he cant help but engage in an old pastime pointing out People Living lifestyles he says are far beyond what their legitimate salaries would allow. Agent del cueto its the elephant in the room that nobody wants to talk about. People try to turn a blind eye. Sharyl and that reaza the key to how and why del cueto says he got out of douglas and sought a career as a Border Patrol agent, fighting the very cartels that have long corrupted his home. Douglas is a town that what . Agent del cueto douglas is a town that doesnt forget. Thats what i would say. Its a town that has taught me a lot of lessons. It teaches a lot of people a lot of lessons and you have to know how to take those lessons and learn from them. Sharyl we learned a lot about the influence and the method of the drug trade on the arizona border. In the weeks ahead on full measure, well take you into the tunnels that are the highvolume highways for smuggling drugs into the United States. The number and the degree of sophistication are incredible. One border agent called them scary. When we return, we move on to one of our favorite projects follow the money, like the Afghan Air Force that never left the ground. From on the billiondollar sharyl in todays follow the money incredible taxpayer waste in u. S. Military programs to help rebuild afghanistan. At full measure, weve reported on several giant boondoggles, as rooted out by the special Inspector General for afghanistan reconstruction, such as the 600 million Afghan Air Force that never left the ground. This week, in a summary to congress, Inspector General john findings and reported. 63 of the taxpayerfunded projects failed to meet contract requirements or technical specs. More than one third had building deficiencies so severe, structure and safety were found to be at risk. A third of the completed projects had never been used at all much like the 36 million military headquarters that the u. S. Never occupied. Sopko added many of the projects involved unqualified contractors, inferior materials, poor workmanship, and inadequate oversight, yet many contracts were paid the full contract amount. How much are we talking . 44 taxpayer funded projects with a combined Contract Value of 1. 1 billion tax dollars. Next week on full measure weve reported on the socalled cadillac tax, that littleknown tax break millions of you get on your work insurance thats set to be taken away under obamacare. Next week, we meet a man who took it upon himself to find out who thought the cadillac tax was intended to hoodwink the american public. Its a very clever, you know, basic exploitation of the lack of economic understanding of the american voter. When hes talking about the lack of basic Economic Standing of the American People, when hes talking about the American People being stupid, hes pretty much talking about the cadillac tax. Sharyl the story behind the selling of the cadillac tax thats next week. Thank you for watching. Thats all for this week. Im sharyl attkisson. Until next time, well be leave you with a little look ahead. Spring and the Cherry Blossoms arriving a little early in washington this year. Some of them are just beginning to bloom. Starting right now on this week with george stephanopoulos. March madness. Now just three gop candidates left standing. As donald trump continues his march to the nomination. We have a movement going on, folks. I will never let you down. But with his rivals and his party rallying to stop him. Were seeing republicans uniting behind this campaign. Could a contested convention take trump down . Were one on one with donald trump. Only on this week. Plus, hillary takes aim. We should be breaking down barriers, not building walls. Hitting the gop frontrunner. Is clinton already gearing up for a nasty november clash . And, supreme showdown, inside the war over the president S Supreme Court nominee