Democrats forced President Trump into finding alternatives to build the border wall

Jody Hice, Opinion contributor

Engaging with everyday Americans in my congressional district in Georgia and across the nation — from law enforcement to grieving “angel parents” of those murdered by illegal immigrants — has shown me beyond a shadow of a doubt that we must act now to address the crisis at the southern border.

Fortunately, President Donald Trump and his administration have taken measured, legal steps to protect our country and close the dangerous loopholes in our immigration system. The simple truth is border security is national security, and the federal government’s foremost responsibility is maintaining the safety of the American people.

Thousands of individuals rush our Southwest border every month. The lack of control or even knowledge of who and what is coming into the United States creates a glaring vulnerability in our national security.

Our Border Patrol agents have limited resources to handle and manage the flow of migrants. That’s what makes building the border wall to continue curbing illegal immigration traffic that much more important. While Democrats refused to even acknowledge any crisis until recently, they chose instead to aim their attention on spewing misinformation at every turn.

OUR VIEW: Trump wall raids 127 military construction projects, mocks the Constitution

President Donald Trump tours the border wall between the United States and Mexico in Calexico, California, on April 5, 2019.
President Donald Trump tours the border wall between the United States and Mexico in Calexico, California, on April 5, 2019.

Time and again, House Republicans have sought funding to solve the emergency on our border, and time and again, House Democratic leadership has refused. Left with no other option, President Trump has been forced into finding alternatives to protect our country, like utilizing military construction funding — a decision supported by the Pentagon and bolstered by federal courts.

Our nation is at a crossroads. We can either ignore this immense and growing problem, putting more Americans at risk, or we can choose to act and act swiftly. I’m glad that President Trump has chosen action, and I’m proud to support his determination to protect American citizens and restore the integrity of our national borders.

Rep. Jody Hice, R-Ga., serves on the House Committee on Oversight and Reform.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Democrats forced President Trump into finding alternatives on the wall