Border Security and Immigration

Our tradition of welcoming legal immigrants from around the globe is what has enabled us to become the economic and cultural superpower we are today. I am a firm believer in the "American Dream" of progress and security; however, we must be responsible about our current immigration practices, or this dream will become unattainable.

As the situation at the southern border continues to deteriorate, I recently joined my colleagues in calling for a vote on the REMAIN in Mexico Act, which would codify the program that returns eligible immigrants to Mexico as they await their asylum claim proceedings. I am gravely concerned about the ongoing crisis at the southern border, and it is essential we implement and support policies we know work. This is an effective and compassionate policy that deters cartels from dangerous and illegal activities at the border.

If we want to get serious about the importance of immigration reform, we also need to fix the source of our problems by securing the border. According to the Washington Post, in 2022 alone, “border officials already had apprehended more migrants by June than they had in the entire previous fiscal year.” Clearly, our current policies are not working.

Additionally, we need to fix the source of our problems by securing the border. I believe that means a wall where it makes sense and the implementation of high-tech virtual walls where physical construction isn't possible or plausible. Requiring background checks and adequate documentation should also be part of any immigration policy. While I am not a member of the House Judiciary Committee, which has jurisdiction over this issue, I am already engaging in conversations with my peers about how we can improve our immigration system.

Congress should then act to streamline our immigration system. This will benefit both our economy and those seeking to come here. In addition, as Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Committee Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, I have worked diligently to increase transparency surrounding the effect that the surging rates of illegal crossings are having on our public lands along the border and the impact that trafficked fentanyl is having on our communities. In order to make our communities safer, we must secure our borders.