Stauber’s Southern Border Visit Highlights Biden’s Failures
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) recently traveled to Cochise County, Arizona with his Western Caucus colleagues to hear from United States Border Patrol agents and local law enforcement agents about the ongoing border crisis. He also had the opportunity to participate in a House Natural Resources Committee field hearing to examine the effects of this crisis on the environment, economy, and national security.
Of his visit to the southern border, Stauber stated, “Listening to the experiences of our Border Patrol agents was incredibly eye opening, and further confirmed that the Biden Administration’s negligence is to blame for the chaos at our southern border. The border patrol agents I spoke with highlighted the effectiveness of Trump-era immigration policies, like Remain in Mexico, and detailed how Biden’s elimination of Trump’s policies not only caused this spike in illegal immigration, but also put the safety of the communities they swore to protect at risk. Biden withdrew from Remain in Mexico, reinstated catch and release, and halted construction of the border wall; all actions he could reverse today to stop the catastrophe at the border. He simply refuses to act, and it is unacceptable.”
During the House Natural Resources field hearing, Stauber and his colleagues heard from folks on the front lines of this crisis, including farmers, ranchers, law enforcement representatives, and local elected officials who are dealing with this border crisis every day.
Of this hearing, Stauber said, “I am glad to have heard from those who have been most impacted by Biden’s open border policies. Their testimony makes it clear that the President is not listening to their concerns, and I was especially dismayed to hear one sheriff mention that President Biden is the first President who refused to meet with national sheriff leaders.”
Stauber continued, stating, “In addition to turning a blind eye to the national security challenges, the President has ignored the serious economic and environmental consequences caused by this crisis. Eighty percent of the Arizona border is federal land, which is being threatened by illegal immigrants who leave behind trash, human waste, and unattended campfires. I heard from agricultural leaders who spoke about the financial hardships faced by farmers and fresh food shippers when illegals trespass through their fields and contaminate their crops. This immigration crisis has been devastating for so many, and I will not stop listening to the voices of those who have been ignored by this Administration.”
Congressman Stauber is committed to bringing what he learned during his visit back to the halls of Congress, where he will continue to call on the Senate to pass H.R. 2, which the House passed with Stauber’s support last May. He will also continue to urge the President to secure the border, which he has the power to do.
Stauber concluded by stating, “The Senate negotiated border bill was never going to pass the Senate, let alone the House of Representatives because it is the legislative equivalent of putting a band aid on a gunshot wound. It would continue to incentivize illegal immigration by allowing 5,000 illegal immigrants into the country per day, expanding work authorizations for illegals, failing to include critical asylum reforms, granting far too much authority to failed Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, and providing taxpayer dollars to fly and house illegals in cities across the nation. We must secure the border, and I call on Senate leaders to pass H.R. 2 immediately because it is the strongest border security legislation in American history. In the meantime, there are plenty of actions the President can take to secure the border. He just needs to grow a backbone.”
There are eight authorities President Biden could utilize today to address the crisis at the border:
- End catch and release.
- Reinstate Remain in Mexico.
- Enter into asylum cooperative agreements.
- End parole abuses.
- Detain inadmissible aliens.
- Use expedited removal.
- Reign in taxpayer-funded benefits for illegal aliens.
- Issue a proclamation to suspend or restrict entry.
