Berks County News

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Dan Meuser (R-PA) visited the southern border in Eagle Pass, Texas, joining Speaker Mike Johnson and other House Republicans. The purpose of the visit was to gain firsthand knowledge of the border crisis and its impact on national security, the economy, and public health.

During the trip, Members of Congress received a briefing from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials, met with local stakeholders, and toured the border with the Texas Department of Public Safety. This marked Congressman Meuser's third visit to the southern border, underscoring his commitment to addressing the pressing issues at hand.

The statistics presented during the visit were alarming. Since President Biden took office, more than 8.5 million migrants have illegally crossed the southern border, with an estimated additional 1.8 million "got-aways" successfully entering the interior of the country undetected. December 2023 alone saw more than 302,000 encounters at the border, setting an all-time monthly record. This represents a 308% increase in illegal border crossings compared to December 2020, the last month of President Trump's term.

The border crisis has become a significant national security threat. Unknown individuals from around the world are taking advantage of the open border, with 296 people on the terror watch list illegally crossing since President Biden's inauguration. In FY23 alone, 169 individuals on the terror watch list successfully crossed the border, surpassing all previous years combined. The situation is dire, as 17 individuals on the terror watch list attempted to enter the United States in November.

Aside from the terror threat, the open border has also facilitated the influx of drugs, particularly fentanyl, into the country. Opioid overdose deaths caused by fentanyl have become the leading cause of death for Americans between the ages of 18 and 45, claiming over 100,000 lives annually.

The financial burden of illegal immigration is another concerning aspect of the crisis. In Pennsylvania alone, it is estimated that 251,000 illegal immigrants reside, costing the state approximately $1.64 billion annually. The average cost per undocumented immigrant, along with their U.S.-born children, amounts to $4,845 per person.

Congressman Meuser expressed his dismay at the situation, stating, "The situation on the ground is an absolute catastrophe. The Biden Administration's open-border policies have created a disaster scenario that is endangering American lives and our states' economies." He blamed the current administration for reversing successful border security measures implemented during the Trump era, resulting in the massive influx of illegal immigrants and the national security crisis at hand.

The visit to the southern border followed a meeting between Secretaries Mayorkas and Blinken with Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. Little progress was made during the meeting, and President Obrador suggested that American tax dollars be used to improve Mexico as a solution rather than physically securing the border.

House Republicans had previously passed H.R. 2, a comprehensive border reform package aimed at ending catch-and-release, abuse of parole authority, and reforming the broken asylum system. However, the legislation has been blocked by Democrats in the Senate.

The situation at the southern border continues to worsen, with dire consequences for American citizens and illegal immigrants alike. Congressman Meuser's visit highlights the urgency of the crisis and the need for immediate action to secure the border, protect national security, and address the economic and public health challenges posed by illegal immigration.

For additional details, please follow this link: https://meuser.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-meuser-visits-southern-border