Dear friend,
Under the Biden-Harris administration, there have been over 8.4 million encounters with people illegally crossing our borders, and many of them are criminals or drug traffickers. As of July 21, 2024, there were 662,566 noncitizens with criminal histories on ICE’s national docket. The White House’s open-border policy is one of the gravest security threats to our nation. To combat this failure, I have cosponsored many border security bills.
I voted to pass the strongest border security bill, H.R. 2, Secure the Border Act of 2023, which requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to continue all activities related to constructing a wall along the U.S. – Mexico border that were planned, as well as expanding the fencing along the border. This legislation will require U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to submit a five-year technology investment plan to Congress. The southern border is facing an immigrant crisis that needs to be controlled for the safety of all Americans.
In addition, I cosponsored H.R. 4904, Build the Wall and Fight Fentanyl Act of 2023, that funds construction of a physical barrier along the U.S.-Mexico border and allocates resources to address the fentanyl crisis. Seized cartel assets and frozen funds will pay for the wall and drug prevention program so Americans are not taxed for their own security. America’s fentanyl epidemic is a direct result of our unprotected border. We need to make it impossible for criminals and drug traffickers to infiltrate our country.
Some illegal immigrants are not only criminals, but also repeat offenders. That is why in 2017, I cosponsored H.R. 3004, Kate’s Law, which sets lengthy prison sentences for illegals who have committed multiple crimes. We must enforce law and order to stem illegal immigrant crime, dissuade foreign criminals from entering our country, and make clear that felons will be severely punished. I am pleased that Kate’s Law passed the House of Representatives.
A broken border threatens innocent Americans, H.R. 3548, Border Security for America Act of 2017, will establish major structural changes to our southern border. This legislation increases the number of border patrol agents, develops technology and infrastructure to deter illegal migration, and mandates automobile and cross-border tunnel checks.
Moreover, as a member of the Border Security Caucus, I will continue to work with my fellow members of Congress to solve the Biden-Harris border disaster. Together, we can fix this issue and restore our nation’s sovereignty and safety.
As always, it is an honor to represent the people of Nebraska’s Second District. If you need help with a federal agency or other assistance, please reach out here or call my office at 402-938-0300.
