Dear John,
The crisis at the Southern Border has been – and continues to be – an absolute disaster. This Administration has undermined our border security while harming Americans and the undocumented immigrants they claim to care so much about.
Just take a look at the numbers:
- Since March, at least 160,000 undocumented migrants have been released into the U.S. with little to no supervision by the Biden administration. In August alone, 43,941 migrants were released into the U.S. In December 2020 that number was 17 – YES, just 17!!
- 208,887 border apprehensions in August – a 317% INCREASE from last year. Unsurprisingly, August was the second straight month with over 200,000 apprehensions, all while border apprehensions remain at a two-decade high.
- Since February 2021, over 1.2 MILLION undocumented immigrants have been apprehended at the border.
President Biden claims to have compassion for these immigrants, but his actions speak louder than his words. The crisis at our border has overwhelmed Border Patrol agents, their facilities, and other towns and communities along the southern border. Many migrants remain in the U.S. in inhumane conditions, unwillingly spend days and nights under bridges in makeshift beds, and in immigration detention centers.
I strongly support LAWFUL immigration and empathize with the many immigrants risking their lives to come to the U.S. to live a better life. I have since taking office. My own staff reflects the embracing of the immigrant community in Nebraska. However, we must follow our immigration laws which protect immigrants from exploitation and dangers such as human trafficking and the drug cartels.
The border crisis is also dangerous to Americans.
Over 10,469 pounds of fentanyl have been seized by the Border Patrol this fiscal year.
Beyond fentanyl, this Border Crisis exposes Americans to diseases and double standards.
- The Biden administration doesn’t require Border Patrol to administer COVID tests to migrants crossing the southern border, subsequently releasing them into the U.S.
- Immigrants who arrive legally at our port of entries are tested for other dangerous diseases such as tuberculosis, measles, polio, and HIV. However, those crossing the southern border undocumented avoid such tests. This may ignite another health crisis.
- The Biden Administration’s vaccine mandate does not apply to immigrants. Those who refuse the vaccine are welcomed into the country, but when a U.S. citizen does the same thing, they are stripped of their livelihood and condemned for their supposed disregard for public health.
Border security is national security and makes our communities safer. We can support LAWFUL immigration, compassion for our DACA and TPS residents, AND enforce the rule of law. We must reimplement Title 42 and the “Remain in Mexico” policy to keep our country and border patrol safe from potentially COVID-positive or otherwise ill undocumented immigrants from being resettled across our country.
As always, ensuring the safety and security of all Nebraskans and Americans is a top priority of mine. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact my office at (402) 938-0300 or visit my website at https://bacon.house.gov/contact/.
God Bless,
Rep. Don Bacon
