When President Biden took office in January 2021 at the height of the pandemic, he inherited commonsense immigration policies, such as Remain in Mexico and Title 42, that worked to keep our nation safe from bad actors.
Unfortunately, the day following President Biden’s inauguration, he ceased construction of the border wall and enacted policies which favored illegal immigrants over Americans. On the same day, President Biden announced an immigration bill that granted amnesty to 11 million illegal immigrants and attempted to ban deportations for one hundred days. This poor decision was struck down by a federal judge.
President Biden’s policies have unfortunately allowed bad actors to enter the United States. Gang members, sex offenders, criminals, and individuals on the terror watchlist have been welcomed into the country—bringing with them crime and illicit drugs like fentanyl. Since President Biden was sworn in, 19,908 pounds of fentanyl has been seized at the southern border, enough to kill every American thirteen times over.
Since taking office, I have visited the southern border three times to listen to the stories of our brave border agents and see firsthand the ineffectiveness of the Biden administration’s policies. Meanwhile, President Biden still has not visited the border and Vice President Kamala Harris claims that the southern border is secured, despite two million illegal immigrants entering the country this federal fiscal year alone.
We must approach the illegal immigration crisis with common sense legislation to prevent this deluge of criminals and drugs from entering our country. This Congress, I cosponsored H.R. 6184, the HALT Fentanyl Act which would classify fentanyl as a Schedule I drug and allow harsher penalties for its distribution. I am also proud to cosponsor H.R. 4828, the Border Security for America Act of 2021 which would restart construction of our southern border wall with accompanying technology and provide funding and support to our brave law enforcement officers. For the past two years, Democrats have controlled both chambers of Congress and the Presidency, and we have seen the toll it has taken on our CBP agents, border communities, and all states.
Republicans have a plan that will regain control of the southern border and enact policies to protect citizens. Congress must fund enforcement strategies and reauthorize funding for the border wall to prevent illegal crossings, drugs, and human trafficking. Additionally, the United States must end catch-and-release loopholes and eliminate ”pull” incentives. Common sense policies will protect Americans and begin to repair our broken immigration system.
Americans deserve a government that works in their best interest. Common sense policies and the continual support of our border patrol agents will create a safe, secure, and sovereign nation.
