Texas State Rep. Glenn Rogers declares that “common sense is required to address border crisis”

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Throughout my time as your state representative, the crisis at Texas’ southern border has been a top priority issue for most of my constituents in House District 60.

Since President Joe Biden took office in January 2021, more than 2 million immigrants illegally have crossed the Texas-Mexico border. For comparison, during the first year of the Trump administration, that number was only 300,000 ─ the lowest since 1972.

Data reported by the Department of Public Safety, Texas Military Department, and Federal Immigration Services across the four sectors of the Texas-Mexico border (Rio Grande, Laredo, Big Bend, and El Paso), shows illegal immigration is up from 118% to 256%.

With record numbers of immigrants illegally crossing the southern border, the questions on many people’s minds are: “Where are they coming from? What are they doing? What is Texas doing to address the crisis?”

There is a misconception that most immigrants originate in Mexico; however, the truth is that Mexico is only an entry point into the United States for migrants from all across the globe. More than 66% of all immigrants crossing illegally originate from outside of Mexico. As a result of policies from the Biden administration, countries that have historically small numbers now are crossing the Texas-Mexico border in record numbers.

Rep. Glenn Rogers

Despite unmistakable evidence of the southern border crisis, many in the media continue to downplay the severity of the situation. The mainstream media often claims the majority of these immigrants are unaccompanied minors; however, those claims could not be further from the truth.

On the contrary, the vast majority of migrant crossings are single adults, with unaccompanied children and family units making up less than one-third of illegal immigrants. More than 25% of immigrants also are repeat offenders, meaning they have crossed the southern border more than once, up from 7% in 2020.

As the crisis at the border enters its second year, Texas has had to step up to the challenge with little support from Washington, D.C. Currently, Gov. Greg Abbott’s Operation Lone Star has been effective in fighting back against illegal immigration, criminal activity, and drug and human trafficking.

As of January, there have been close to 1.3 million apprehensions by Texas Law Enforcement for referrals, misdemeanors, felonies, and federal charges. At the same time, Texas officials have seized more than 1,140 pounds of fentanyl (enough for almost 260 million lethal doses), 203 pounds of heroin, 3,511 pounds of cocaine, 13,000 pounds of methamphetamine, and 27,310 pounds of marijuana.

Lone Star agents also seized more than 3,000 firearms and $26 million in United States currency.

During the second special session, the 87th Legislature approved House Bill 9, which provides assistance to the governor, DPD, and Texas Military Department. HB 9 allocates an additional $1.88 billion to border security, which includes $750 million to help fund the border wall started by President Trump, equip Texas police officers and reimburse counties for apprehensions.

This will be done while respecting landowners’ rights by avoiding the expansion of eminent domain. House Bill 9 is in addition to the $1.1 billion added in the state budget (Senate Bill 1) passed this spring ─ tripling the total amount spent on border security in the previous biennium.

After taking a trip to the border just before Christmas to survey the situation and deliver small gifts, I received a letter from a member of the Texas National Guard. The letter discussed in detail his concerns, seen firsthand, about the escalating border crisis. This man has been serving on the border away from his family.

The letter further opened my eyes to the tremendous human costs created by federal inaction in addressing the border crisis.

Day in and day out, members of our Texas military and law enforcement are working to keep our state safe. Many of these young men and women have spent considerable time away from their families, with some spending Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Years on the Rio Grande, instead of at home. The brave soldiers and civilians who are proudly serving our state often do so out of duty to service ─ for little pay.

While the Texas National Guard is mobilized they cannot receive certain federal compensation, such as accruement to federal benefits, health insurance, or retirement.

The issue of illegal immigration at our southern border was an issue long before President Biden took office. Since I was a child, there have been debates on both sides of the aisle about how to facilitate legitimate access for those seeking to have a better life, while maintaining a tough stance on crime. Immigrants from all nationalities play a significant role in shaping the Texas and U.S. economy, and our state should be a beacon of economic liberty and second chances.

Immigrants seeking a better life in our country must make sure to come in through the gate, and not over the fence. Not only does the border crisis put communities at risk, but immigrants also put themselves at substantially greater risk of being killed, abused, or trafficked.

We must completely secure our southern border and develop a commonsense immigration policy that is fair, safe, timely, and legal for good people seeking a better life.

State Rep. Glenn Rogers is the representative for Texas House District 60. He is running for re-election and faces three opponents in the Republican primary – Kit Marshall, Mike Olcott, and Lucas Turner.

Source: El Universal

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