Joe Biden’s weak border policies have led to over 5 million illegal crossings at the Southern Border. The crisis at the Southern Border is set to get even worse when the last remaining border enforcement measure – Title 42 – expires on May 11.
Senate Republicans have solutions, including to secure the border, repurpose Title 42, build the wall, defund sanctuary cities, deport violent criminals, and stop dangerous human and drug trafficking.
What They Are Saying: Senate Republicans Have Solutions to Secure the Southern Border
Senator Jim Risch (R-ID):
Sponsor of Solving the Border Crisis Act
“Since President Biden took office, more than 4.7 million illegal immigrants – double the population of Idaho – have been encountered at the southern border. This is a direct result from the president’s open border policies that have catalyzed a full-blown disaster. […] Strong border policies are the only solution to President Biden’s ever-growing immigration disaster.”
Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID):
Cosponsor of Solving the Border Crisis Act
“A record number of illegal border crossings on the Biden Administration’s watch has created a humanitarian crisis of staggering proportions and fueled the increased smuggling of deadly drugs such as fentanyl into our country. This ongoing crisis demands a stronger, more effective leadership. Congress must act to secure the border now, as we cannot rely on the Executive Branch to do so.”
Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN):
Sponsor of Stop Fentanyl Border Crossings Act
“70,000 Americans are dying annually from drug overdoses—most from deadly fentanyl flooding across our collapsed southern border. With the Biden Administration pushing to end Title 42 in May, it is unconscionable for Congress to stand aside and do nothing to preserve it. […] We cannot afford to allow this shockingly-lethal drug to continue wreaking havoc on our communities and killing our youth.”
Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS):
Cosponsor of Stop Fentanyl Border Crossings Act
“Title 42 was created as part of a public health emergency health order and it makes sense to extend it to the fentanyl health emergency hitting our nation. With overdose deaths rising, there is no good reason not to utilize Title 42 to fight the increasing flow of this deadly drug being smuggled across the border by cartels and illegal immigrants.”
Senator Ted Budd (R-NC):
Sponsor of Build the Wall Act
“President Biden has created the worst border crisis in American history. Instead of taking steps to solve this crisis, the Biden administration has tried to run out the regulatory clock on border wall construction. The Build the Wall Now Act ends this administration’s excuses and forces them to restart wall construction immediately.
Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC):
Cosponsor of Build the Wall Act
“From the moment President Biden took office, he has made one poor decision after another that has created a crisis at our Southern border, including stopping the construction of a border wall. We have to take action to gain back control of our border and stop the historic level of illegal crossings, and I am proud to join Senator Budd to introduce this legislation.”
Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX):
Sponsor of The Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act
“So-called ‘sanctuary cities’ refuse to enforce the laws on the books and release violent criminals in our country illegally—including rapists and murders—who go on to prey on both American citizens and the immigrant community. Moreover, many of these sanctuary jurisdictions actively prevent state and local law enforcement from coordinating with their federal counterparts. They release murderers, rapists, and burglars who end up preying on the community. That is wrong. […] These jurisdictions need to be held accountable, and I will do everything I can to enforce our immigration laws.”
Senator John Cornyn (R-TX):
Cosponsor of The Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act
“Sanctuary cities undermine our nation’s legal immigration system and prevent law enforcement from being able to do their jobs. By promoting coordination between local and federal officials, this bill ensures these safe havens for dangerous criminals don’t receive certain taxpayer-funded grants, and I’m proud to support it.”
Senator John Thune (R-SD):
Sponsor of Reverse Entry for Migrant Offenders and Violence Expulsion Act
“Illegal immigrants, especially those who commit heinous crimes such as kidnapping or sexual assault, cannot be allowed to remain in our country. These are inherently violent crimes, and we must do everything we can to ensure that our kids and grandkids are safe in our communities. I’m proud to lead this common-sense legislation that would close an egregious loophole that permits criminals to stay in our country.”
Senator James Lankford (R-OK):
Cosponsor of Reverse Entry for Migrant Offenders and Violence Expulsion Act
“Last year, I confronted the Biden Administration’s definition of ‘violent crimes’ in regard to deportation orders. Their new rules limited the number of people that could be deported, including some sex offenders who were found guilty of sex crimes while in our nation illegally. […] I am mortified that there is even a question in the Biden Administration if all sex offenders should be deported. Our bill gives that question a firm answer; yes, sex offenses are violent crimes and should lead to immediate deportation for those found guilty. Period.”
Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN):
Sponsor of Stop Taxpayer Funding of Traffickers Act
“For two years, President Biden’s open border policies have emboldened the cartels and caused human trafficking to grow to a $13 billion industry, with criminal cartels earning up to $14 million each day. Last year alone, law enforcement seized over 14,000 pounds of fentanyl at the border, enough to kill over 3.3 billion people. We cannot continue to incentivize this blatant criminal activity.”
Senator Katie Britt (R-AL):
Cosponsor of Stop Taxpayer Funding of Traffickers Act
“American taxpayers shouldn’t be forced to subsidize the monsters who are taking advantage of the Biden Administration’s border crisis to traffic vulnerable people and deadly drugs,” said Senator Britt. “These criminals are causing untold suffering in every corner of our country — stealing lives, destroying families, and devastating communities at record rates. It is time to seal and secure the border and end the incentives and loopholes that are fueling the crisis.
Democrats should work with Republicans to stop the worst border crisis in American history.