Protecting and supporting our brave border patrol agents
Under President Biden’s open-border policies, the work of our brave border patrol agents has become increasingly difficult, but even more consequential. More than 7.2 million illegal immigrants have unlawfully crossed our southern border, which doesn’t include the 1.8 million recorded gotaways who slipped through the cracks. U.S. Customs and Border Protection has also apprehended over 340 people whose names appear on the terrorist watch list and another 20,000 Chinese nationals – some of whom have direct ties to the Chinese Communist Party. January also marked the 35th straight month that where illegal immigrant encounters were higher than any month under the Trump administration. Needless to say, our border patrol agents – while incredibly resilient – are overwhelmed by the crisis that President Biden has created through reckless executive orders and poor policy decisions.
Since President Biden and Secretary Mayorkas refuse to secure our border, House Republicans have taken matters into our own hands. We passed the Secure the Border Act nearly a year ago to finish construction on the border wall, end radical “catch-and-release” policies, restore the “Remain in Mexico” program, and fully fund our border patrol at 22,000 agents – the number that border patrol leaders say that they need to properly secure our border and protect our communities from fentanyl and other deadly drugs. We must continue to work to ensure that our border patrol agents have the resources that they need to do their jobs while keeping them out of harm’s way.
Tragically, we know that some of our border patrol agents make the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation and our communities. Officer Raul Gonzalez Jr. was one of those brave patriots. On December 7th, 2022, Officer Gonzalez Jr. was killed when his ATV crashed while pursuing a group of illegal immigrants who were evading capture in Texas. This heartbreaking tragedy is the result of the Biden administration’s careless disregard for the brave men and women who defend our borders.
My view is that drug traffickers and illegal immigrants who evade apprehension by border patrol – especially on a high-speed chase – must be held accountable for their crimes. I have zero tolerance for smugglers and illegal immigrants who threaten the safety of our brave law enforcement officials and the American people while actively breaking our nation’s law. That’s why I voted for legislation – in honor of Border Patrol Agent Raul Gonzalez Jr. – to punish smugglers, illegal immigrants, and criminals to the fullest extent of the law who engage in high-speed pursuits that result in the death or serious injury of a border patrol agent or American citizen.
This legislation would impose criminal and immigration penalties on individuals – namely drug traffickers and illegal immigrants – who intentionally evade border patrol agents or other law enforcement officials while operating a motor vehicle within 100 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border. Illegal immigrants convicted of committing a crime related to a high-speed pursuit would be subject to deportation and could face up to two years in prison. If the incident results in serious bodily injury of a border patrol agent or an American citizen, illegal immigrants could face between five and twenty years in federal prison, and if the incident results in the death of a border patrol agent or an American citizen, illegal immigrants would face no less than ten years in prison and as much as life in prison. By passing this bill, we send a clear message that we will not tolerate lawlessness and chaos that endanger the lives of our border patrol agents.
The American people deserve safe communities and a secure border. Our border patrol agents deserve the full support of the federal government and sensible border policies that keep them safe and protected. Unfortunately, President Biden has repeatedly failed to uphold this basic duty. As a strong advocate for border security and an unwavering supporter of our border patrol agents, I will continue to support policies that secure our border, stand with law enforcement, and keep our families and communities safe.
This op-ed was originally published in the Carroll Times Herald on March 21, 2024.