Tillis, Colleagues Introduce Legislation Requiring Biden Admin to Regain Control of Our Southern Border | Eastern North Carolina Now

Press Release:

    WASHINGTON, D.C.     Today, U.S. Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), and James Inhofe (R-OK) introduced the Comprehensive Southern Border Strategy Act, legislation that will require the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary to complete a comprehensive strategy for the southern border within 12 months of enactment. The strategy must address how to maintain operational control and situational awareness across the entirety of the southern border as well as a strategy for combatting human smuggling and drug trafficking. U.S. Representative Young Kim (R-CA) previously introduced the Comprehensive Southern Border Strategy Act in the U.S. House.

    "The Biden Administration has proven time and time again that they have no strategy for gaining control of our southern border, and its time they start showing some leadership and accountability," said Senator Tillis. "The situation at our border is undeniably a crisis as the cartels continue their human trafficking and their smuggling of illicit drugs like fentanyl into our country. This legislation will ensure that DHS enacts a plan, using every resource available. I am proud to introduce this legislation with my colleagues because the American people deserve to see this administration finally taking control of this chaos."

    "The Biden Administration has facilitated the complete collapse of our southern border and precipitated a crisis beyond measure," said Senator Hagerty. "My colleagues and I are imploring the Biden Administration to stop burying its head in the sand and do its job by prioritizing the safety and security of the American people and putting an end to the disaster they have created."

    "Like so much else, it's clear the Biden administration's border policies are doing more harm than good," said Senator Hyde-Smith. "This legislation would force us to acknowledge what's needed to regain and maintain control of the southern border. The status quo of rampant illegal crossings, drug trafficking, and human smuggling cannot continue for the sake of our nation."

    "It is alarming to watch how long the Biden administration has stood idly by while our country faces a record-breaking border crisis, as thousands of individuals - including criminals involved in drug and human trafficking - flood our borders daily," said Senator Inhofe. "Due to President Biden's failed policies, there have been over 3 million illegal immigrant encounters during his presidency, proving that this administration does not have any sort of handle on the issue. That's why I am glad to introduce legislation alongside Sen. Tillis that would require DHS to address this crisis and develop an action plan to fix the real issues taking place at our border."

    "The crisis on our Southern border continues to hurt the most vulnerable and put the safety of Americans at risk as we witness record-high illegal crossings and deadly drugs like fentanyl flowing freely into our streets, schools and communities. As long as this border crisis persists, our communities suffer," said Representative Kim. "I thank Senators Tillis, Hagerty, Hyde-Smith and Inhofe for introducing this bill in the Senate so we can finally create a comprehensive strategy to gain operational control of our border at every mile and ensure taxpayer dollars are used effectively."

    Background

    Since President Biden took office, Customs and Border Protection has had over 3 million encounters with illegal immigrants at our southern border. In fiscal year 2022 (FY22), CBP apprehended over 8,000 criminal aliens, including 50 with convictions for murder and nearly 250 with convictions for sex crimes. CBP also interdicted over 10,700 pounds of fentanyl in 2021 and so far has interdicted over 5,700 pounds in 2022 - nearly 3.7 billion lethal doses.

    The crisis at our southern border has only been made worse by President Biden's failed immigration policies such as rescinding Remain in Mexico, his attempts to dismantle immigration enforcement, and his attempts to end Title 42.


    Contact: Adam Webb
      Email: adam_webb@tillis.senate.gov

    Contact: Lauren Scott
       Email: Lauren_Scott@tillis.senate.gov