May 12, 2023

Border Security Update

Friend, 

I remain focused on keeping our communities safe and securing our borders. I have been to the U.S. Mexico border and seen the crisis first hand. We are facing a humanitarian and drug trafficking crisis at the southern border. But, there are solutions to secure our border, keep our communities safe, and promote strong national security, if we act. 

This week, I worked to pass H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act. This legislation is focused on securing the border, preventing illegal activity at our southern border, and stopping the flow of illicit fentanyl coming across the border. This bill will: 

• Deploy technology to the southern and northern border
• Increase the number of border patrol agents and provide bonus pay
• Strengthen current law to protect unaccompanied children from human trafficking
• Strengthen and streamline the asylum process
• Restart border wall construction 
• Increase transparency regarding illegal crossings from the Department of Homeland Security by requiring CBP to publish information regarding migrant encounters, gang or terrorist affiliated apprehensions, drug seizures, and other related statistics

These are commonsense steps we must be taking to secure our borders. We cannot continue to allow drug cartels and criminal organizations to exploit human lives and smuggle drugs into our country. 

Click here for more information on what this legislation does. 

Right now, we are beginning to see a dramatic increase in individuals coming to the U.S. Mexico border as a provision known as Title 42 has expired. Reports indicate migrant crossings are up to more than 10,000 individuals a day. Our U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers are overwhelmed. 

It is imperative the federal government secures our border. The House has acted to pass this common sense piece of legislation to protect our nation's borders and keep our communities safe. It is time for the Senate to take up this important border security legislation. 

As always, if you would like to share an opinion or concern with me, do not hesitate to contact my office.

On Wisconsin,

Bryan Steil
Member of Congress

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