Last week, I led a tour of the United States-Mexico border in southern Arizona with eight Members of Congress. U.S. Representatives Lauren Boebert, Warren Davidson, Bob Gibbs, Andrew Clyde, Matt Rosendale, Bob Good, Glenn Grothman, and Barry Moore joined me on this trip to Sasabe, Nogales, and Sierra Vista. The congressional delegation met with Border Patrol agents, members of local law enforcement, customs officials, and a mother of a former City of Mesa police officer, who was killed by an illegal alien.

I have led several congressional delegations to the southern border since taking office in January 2017, hosting 34 Members of Congress from 21 states.

I am grateful for my eight colleagues, who took time to visit the U.S. border in Arizona. Thanks to the Trump administration, the United States made tremendous progress to secure the border. We have built the border wall along hundreds of miles of rugged terrain, including many miles where experts previously thought such a feat was impossible. We have constructed roads along many stretches of the wall, and increased our technology capabilities to help Border Patrol and members of local law enforcement safely and effectively do their jobs. The Trump administration also instituted key policies, working in conjunction with Mexico and Latin American nations, to discourage illegal immigration into the United States.

The Trump administration’s efforts to secure our border were working, but the new Biden administration is threatening to undo all progress that has been made over the last four years. They stopped construction on the border wall – even in dangerous drug smuggling corridors that were in the process of being sealed. And they are currently reversing the policies that have discouraged illegal immigration into our country. If the Biden administration persists with its open-borders policies, the United States will be overrun with an historic surge of illegal aliens, who are chasing amnesty and sanctuary from the rule of law. I hope this administration will stop pandering to the radical left when it comes to securing our border and enforcing our laws. Border security is national security, and I promise to keep fighting for border security in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Here are some testimonials from my colleagues who accompanied me on this trip:

“I have always been a proponent of stronger borders and more rigorous enforcement of our immigration laws but seeing the problem and its effects up close was illuminating. A weak border and lax enforcement of our laws is not just a law enforcement problem, it is a humanitarian crisis. It was humbling to hear the stories from Americans who have been directly injured by a porous border, yet still have the compassion to help those with injury or illness crossing illegally. The empirical and anecdotal evidence makes it clear a physical barrier on the border combined with a variety of deterrent and enforcement measures can work. Continuing construction of the border wall is a no-brainer that helps Border Patrol, which is stretched thin. I thank Congressman Biggs for organizing this trip and I hope all of my colleagues, Democrat and Republican, take the time to understand this crisis firsthand.” – Congressman Bob Gibbs (OH-07)

“Chairman Biggs and his entire team deserve thanks for getting boots on the ground so members of Congress can see these issues firsthand and the urgency of securing our southern border. Under President Trump’s leadership, illegal immigration was the lowest it had been in 17 years. The Trump administration achieved this success because they understood the actual problems and addressed them. So far under President Biden, the only actions he has taken regarding immigration involve amnesty and implementing a ban on using the term ‘illegal alien.’ It’s almost laughable, but what won’t be a laughing matter is the increase of illegal drugs, violence and human trafficking that will result from Biden’s amnesty policies and his unwillingness to secure the border.” – Congresswoman Lauren Boebert (CO-03)

“No country can continue to exist if it allows unlimited illegal immigration. This is particularly true of wealthy countries with generous welfare systems. While I disagree with President Biden on many issues, his most dangerous ideas are those that undo the progress we’ve made to make the Southern border safer for both Americans and immigrants. I have yet to meet a border patrol agent, ICE agent or member of local law enforcement working on the Southern border who doesn’t feel a wall is of paramount importance.” – Congressman Glenn Grothman (WI-06)

“Border security is national security, and thanks to the Trump Administration, we have made great strides in securing our southern border. However, my trip was a stark reminder that there is much work left to be done. To keep Americans safe, President Biden must stop pandering to radical open-border advocates who encourage lawlessness and would have us left vulnerable to the insidious work of drug smugglers and cartels. I am incredibly grateful to the Border Patrol agents on the front lines who keep Americans safe. They will bear the brunt of President Biden’s open border policies while remaining steadfast in their mission to protect the American people.” – Congressman Barry Moore (AL-02)

“President Biden’s radical decision to reverse the successful polices that secured our border, removed dangerous criminal aliens, and stopped deadly drugs from pouring into our communities is extremely dangerous for the future of our nation. Open-border policies are the breeding ground for crime. I strongly object to the radical left’s agenda to put the needs of Americans last. It is my hope that the president will work with Congress, and put the needs of those he leads first.” – Congressman Bob Good (VA-02)

“Last week I visited the Southern border with other members of Congress to see how the Biden Administration is already impacting our national security. We are already seeing how these policies are making the job harder for our frontline workers like the Border Patrol and how quickly we are seeing the progress of the last 4 years rolled back. I want to thank Representative Biggs for helping organize—our solutions will be better with the firsthand knowledge that we’ve gained on this trip.” – Congressman Matt Rosendale (MT-AL) 

“As I saw firsthand, the men and women of Customs and Border Patrol need support from Washington to protect Americans from cartels. There is no border between Arizona and Ohio that’s going to stop dangerous drugs. We have to fight this battle at the border with proper infrastructure.” – Congressman Warren Davidson (OH-08)

“The best way I can summarize what I learned from the Arizona border trip is that WALLS WORK! Period! The border wall system expands our Border Patrol’s ability to cover more ground, gives our Customs officers the ability to prevent more dangerous drugs from entering the country, and protects citizens from cartel members and other dangerous criminals. I am deeply disappointed that President Biden chose to halt all border wall construction, leaving everyone from regular citizens to federal agents questioning what might happen next. We cannot return to the status quo where uncontrolled illegal immigration, drug smuggling, human trafficking, and rampant crime are allowed to pour over our porous border. Without a secure border, we do not have a secure nation.” – Congressman Andrew Clyde (GA-09)