January 5, 2024

Working to Fix the Border Crisis  

This week, I traveled to our nation's southern border to meet with officials on the frontlines. The men and women I spoke with told me how current border policies have caused a national security, public health, and humanitarian crisis.  

This was my third trip to the border. Unfortunately, the problem at our border has gotten worse since my previous visits. In 2023, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) encountered 3.2 million migrants at the border - more than half the population of Wisconsin. In December, there were 302,000 migrant encounters at the U.S. border, the highest single month ever recorded. That’s more than the populations of Kenosha, Racine, Janesville, and Beloit combined. 

What makes matters worse, we’re seeing the direct impact of the border crisis play out in communities in Wisconsin. On New Year's Eve, 355 migrants arrived at the Rockford airport, 20 miles from Beloit.   

On top of that, Whitewater is witnessing a dramatic increase in migrants flowing into the community. In November, I heard from law enforcement about how a Mexican cartel is operating in Whitewater. Walworth County has documented almost a quarter of a million dollars in a four-month period that was funneled back to the cartel.  

The effect the border crisis is having on public safety in our communities is why I’m fighting for a secure border. Currently, our asylum laws are being abused. We must end catch-and-release and reinstate the remain in Mexico policy. In Congress, I’m helping lead efforts to pass the Secure the Border Act (H.R. 2) which will do exactly that. Stronger laws, and enforcement of our existing laws is the way we will address the crisis at the border and protect our communities back home.  

On Wisconsin,  

Bryan Steil
Member of Congress

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