Today, the Daily Caller published a story showing just how out-of-control our southern border is. Based on internal documents from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the agency reported 218,777 encounters at the border in September alone, with more than 2 million for the fiscal year.

We have to stop the insanity at our border and that’s why I’m running for Congress.

I served 22-years in the U.S. Army, including the Iraq War. I’ve given more than half my life to keeping Americans safe. In Congress, I will continue to keep us safe by sealing our border and keeping drugs, criminals, and terrorists out of our country. It should be our #1 job!

If I am elected to Congress, you can count on me to:

• Finish the Wall

• Hire more border patrol agents

• Fine any business who hires illegal laborers

• Increase the penalties for the importation of fentanyl

Help me get to Washington to fix the mess with an online donation today. Any amount, $10, $25, $50 or $100 will help us reach our goal.

I know times are tough but we have to do something.

If you can afford more, please consider $250 or even $500.

About Tom Barrett

Tom Barrett was born and raised here in Michigan. He learned the value of hard work and the importance of family by watching his dad work two jobs while his mom stayed home to raise him and his six siblings.

As Tom was finishing high school, he decided to join the United States Army and serve his country. After graduation he took the first airplane ride of his life as he departed for Basic Combat Training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

Tom’s service in the military continued for 22 years, serving in the Iraq War, Guantanamo Bay, Kuwait, and the Korean DMZ, and logging in more than 1,000 hours in some of the most advanced helicopters in the world.

When Tom returned to Michigan, he was shocked to find so many veterans struggling to find opportunities back home. Michigan had the second highest veteran unemployment rate in the nation and Tom decided to act, running for the legislature and becoming a leading voice for veterans in Lansing.

Known as a fiscal hawk, he opposed all taxpayer-funded corporate welfare, including the programs now funding Chinese-owned factories, and fought for tax cuts for all Michiganders.

Tom attended Western Michigan University on the Montgomery GI Bill and graduated with honors in 2007. He lives in Charlotte with his wife, Ashley, and their four young children, Patrick, Eleanora, Gwendolyn, and Louis. He is running for Congress to restore our commitment to America, and the values that took us from a fragile new republic to become the greatest nation on earth.

Michigan’s 7th Congressional District includes all of Ingham, Clinton, Shiawassee, and Livingston Counties, most of Eaton County, and portions of Oakland and Genesee Counties.