OPINION:
We, as a nation, face the worst border crisis in our history. The Biden administration has overseen the intentional dismantling of America’s border security and immigration enforcement systems. This threat to our Republic demands a strong and forceful response from Republicans when we retake majority control of Congress next year.
President Biden’s immigration policies jeopardize the safety and security of the American people. The border crisis threatens the very fabric of America. The Biden administration and a complicit Democratic majority in Congress have acted unilaterally to weaken border security, restrict interior enforcement, and expand administrative amnesty. As a result, illegal crossings continue to rise. We lost operational control at the border many months ago, and we’re on track to exceed four million illegal crossings since Biden’s inauguration. Criminal “gotaways” are at unprecedented levels. Fentanyl and illicit drugs are pouring across the border and killing American citizens. This is the reality that we face.
The border crisis impacts every community and every state in our nation. America is less secure because of Joe Biden’s failures at the southern border. Border security is national security, and we must address this alarming threat to our nation. However, the current Democratic majority has allowed the Biden administration to weaken America’s border security infrastructure without objection. Democrats have refused to conduct necessary congressional oversight, and Americans are paying the consequences. That will soon change.
On January 3, 2023, Republicans will regain majority control of Congress. We will aggressively confront the Biden administration and conduct oversight hearings on the border crisis. We will use every tool at our disposal to build case files and hold Biden administration officials to account, including Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. He has unequivocally failed in his mission. Further, he has taken actions that knowingly and intentionally exacerbated the border crisis. This is wholly unacceptable. America has been significantly injured by the continued dismantling of our border security. Many of my colleagues and I are prepared to make a case for Mayorkas’ removal.
This accountability agenda, securing the southern border and restoring the sovereignty of our homeland, must be a top priority for our new Republican majority. We will investigate, expose, and combat injurious actions out of the Biden administration. At the same time, we will advance our own security agenda.
While America will always remain a land of compassion, we will not compromise our safety. Republicans must unite behind flagship legislation to secure America on every front, starting with restoring operational control at the southern border. My office has introduced a strategic plan for the Homeland Security Committee in the 118th Congress, which includes legislative priorities that will help safeguard our nation. Effective border security requires action to close the physical gaps, empower law enforcement personnel, and eliminate the pull factors that incentivize illegal immigration. We stand ready with legislation to complete the border wall system, codify the security mechanisms of “Remain in Mexico” and Title 42, combat the criminal cartels, and end catch and release. Our plan also includes refocused efforts on interior enforcement. We must ensure that ICE has the directive and resources to get criminal aliens off our streets.
Accountability is coming for the Biden administration. The power dynamic in Washington is about to shift. While the White House remains under Democrat control through 2024, Republicans will retake the majority in Congress. We intend to send a very clear message to the Biden administration the intentional collapse of our border security will not stand.
The American people demand strong borders and safe communities. This is what we intend to deliver.
• Clay Higgins is a United States Representative from Louisiana’s Third Congressional District. He is the ranking member of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Border Security. A veteran and highly decorated law enforcement officer, he served as a military police officer in the U.S. Army/Louisiana National Guard attaining the rank of E-6, Staff Sergeant, and worked as a SWAT operator and night shift patrol officer.
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