Rick Allen: Bill seeks to secure the border and curb illegal immigration

Under President Biden’s watch, every city in America is a border city. Every community is a border community, and America is being forced to learn the hard way that border security is national security. This administration has been largely defined by the multiple crises it has created, and nowhere is that more evident than the undeniable immigration crisis unfolding along our southern border. On a near-daily basis, American families are tuning into the news and seeing for themselves the gut-wrenching videos and images of illegal immigrants pouring across our border in record numbers.

This is an unprecedented national security and humanitarian crisis, and the open border policies championed under the Biden Administration and Congressional Democrats have caused this disaster. Upon his inauguration, President Biden immediately halted construction of the southern border wall, prohibited Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from carrying out deportations, and took abrupt steps to end the Migrant Protection Protocols, which required individuals seeking admission into the United States from Mexico to await immigration proceedings outside of the U.S.

More recently, President Biden ended Title 42, causing border encounters to surge. Title 42 was originally implemented in March 2020 and was a valuable tool that gave border agents the authority to swiftly return migrants to Mexico or their home country.  Ending Title 42 was as reckless as it was dangerous. The numbers speak for themselves. In the 72 hours leading up to its expiration, border patrol agents apprehended over 26,000 migrants. Since President Biden took office, more than 1.5 million illegal immigrants have evaded apprehension and there have been over 5.2 million encounters at the southern border.

That’s why House Republicans took much-needed action and recently passed H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act, with my unwavering support.

Our bill has two simple, yet fundamental goals: curb illegal immigration and secure the border. More specifically, the Secure the Border Act would force the Biden Administration to restart construction of the border wall. The bill bolsters support for our Border Patrol by providing retention bonuses and hiring 22,000 border patrol agents, nearly 3,000 more than is currently on force. It combats the exploitation and trafficking of unaccompanied children by treating all children equally under the law regardless of home country. H.R. 2 ends “catch and release” by ensuring that the only options for those who illegally cross the border are detainment until their immigration court proceedings, removal, or a Remain-in-Mexico type program is implemented. Additionally, we addressed the immigration court backlog by strengthening the asylum process — ensuring that those with valid claims of asylum are protected and adjudicated in a timely manner.

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H.R. 2 would also help prevent deadly fentanyl-related substances that are being manufactured by China and the cartels from ever entering our country. Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to visit a border town, McAllen, Texas, with my colleagues on the Energy and Commerce Committee where we discussed solutions to address the rise in illegal immigration and the flow of illicit fentanyl into the United States. Since President Biden assumed office, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CPB) has seized over 38,000 pounds of fentanyl. To put it in perspective, only a few milligrams of fentanyl can be lethal, which is why it is now sadly the number one cause of death among adults 18-49.

We also must ensure law enforcement and border patrol officers maintain their authority to seize these drugs should they come into our country. The House recently passed the HALT Fentanyl Act to do just that by rescheduling fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs. I was proud to co-introduce this legislation that will help prevent further heart-wrenching, avoidable loss of life in America.

House Republicans have upheld our commitment to a nation that is safe by passing two commonsense bills that would secure the border, deter illegal immigration, and address the deadly fentanyl crisis. During my visit to the border, I asked the President of the National Border Patrol Council what is needed to secure the border. His response: “I know what’s necessary, we need policy.” House Republicans have taken the first step in delivering that policy and it’s time for President Biden to follow suit.

Rick W. Allen represents the 12th District of Georgia and is a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Rep. Rick Allen supports Secure the Border Act to rebuild wall