Congress Must Do More to Address The Border Crisis | Eastern NC Now

Press Release:

    "I campaigned on Border Security, which you cannot have without a strong and powerful Wall. Our Southern Border has long been an "Open Wound," where drugs, criminals (including human traffickers) and illegals would pour into our Country."   -   Donald J. Trump, President of the United States
President Trump treks up the Capitol steps to endeavor to spark compromise: Above. (White House photo)     Click image to expand.
    CRISIS AT THE BORDER: President Trump continues to stress the need to pass legislation that will address the security and humanitarian crises on our Southern Border.

            •  The United States Southern Border is overwhelmed with illegal immigration, gang violence, crime, drugs, and human trafficking.

            •  President Trump has requested a modest amount of funding to address these issues while Democrats continue to resist in the name of politics.

            •  We cannot keep our country safe without adequate funding for Border security, including a physical barrier and increased funding for law enforcement.

    BORDER SECURITY AND HUMANITARIAN PRIORITIES: Any government funding bill must address the security and humanitarian crises on our Southern Border. The Administration has requested additional funds-relative to the FY2019 Homeland Security funding bill that passed the Senate Appropriations Committee (Committee)-to address these priorities.

            •  $5.7 billion for construction of a steel barrier on the Southern Border to fund 234 miles of new physical barrier-an increase of $4.1 billion over the Committee bill.

            •  $675 million to deter and detect narcotics, weapons, and other materials that pose a threat to the United States-an increase of $631 million over the Committee bill.

                  •  Will provide Non-Intrusive Inspection technology for all incoming vehicle lanes of traffic at U.S. Southwest Border Land Ports of Entry, as well as necessary canine and other support.

            •  $211 million to hire 750 additional Border Patrol agents in order to keep our borders safe and secure-an increase of $100 million over the Committee bill.

            •  $800 million to fund enhanced medical support, transportation, consumable supplies, and additional temporary facilities necessary to ensure the well-being of those taken into custody.

    IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT: Congress must fund additional immigration detention beds and law enforcement personnel.

            •  $571 million for 2,000 additional Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel to enforce immigration laws, combat gang violence, catch drug smugglers and stop human traffickers.

            •  $4.2 billion to support 52,000 detention beds, personnel, alternatives to detention, and transportation to address the recent surge in illegal immigration across the Southern Border-an increase of $798 million over the Committee bill.

            •  At least $563 million for 75 additional Immigration judges and support staff to reduce the backlog of pending immigration cases.

                  •  President Trump will work with Congress to facilitate expanded in-country processing of refugee claims.

• Contact: White House
•     Press Office