Staff Reports
Rep. Eric Burlison, a Republican from Missouri, has sponsored the State Border Defense Act, a legislative proposal that challenges the lax immigration policies of President Biden. The bill empowers states to construct barriers on federal lands and water along the southern border and enforce federal immigration laws. In response to the continuous influx of unauthorized immigrants into the United States, Burlison's bill seeks to empower states to enforce stricter policies regarding illegal immigration.
EXCLUSIVE: Rep. Burlison Introduces Legislation That Allows States To Fight Back Against Biden’s Immigration Policies
Read all about it here first for @DailyCaller: https://t.co/VNJ1xgz9Vh
— Henry Rodgers (@henryrodgersdc) October 27, 2023
Burlison expressed his disapproval of the Biden administration's management of the border crisis without reservation. "The Biden Administration has enabled a deliberate incursion along our southern border, and Secretary Mayorkas and President Biden refuse to even acknowledge the problem, let alone take action to stop it," he said. It is evident from these forceful statements that Burlison is not hesitating to express his views on the subject.
A group of cosponsors, including Representatives Andy Biggs, Troy Nehls, Randy Weber, Matt Rosendale, Andy Ogles, Josh Brecheen, Paul Gosar, and Eli Crane, supports Burlison's call for enhanced border security. These representatives are committed to taking action and are cognizant of the critical nature of the situation.
Arizona and Texas, among others, have initiated measures to further develop their sections of the border wall that remained incomplete during the preceding administration. On May 11, however, the Biden administration terminated Title 42, a public health measure implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This action has additionally contributed to the escalation in unauthorized immigration, as border patrols encountered an astounding two million migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border in 2021.
In addition to the evident immigration concerns, severe national security implications ensue. During the fiscal year 2021, border agents apprehended a substantial quantity of illicit substances, comprising over 319,000 pounds of marijuana, over 190,000 pounds of methamphetamine, and over 97,000 pounds of cocaine, valued at $3.31 billion. The necessity for prompt measures to safeguard American citizens and secure our borders is underscored by these staggering figures.
Despite the fact that in January President Biden issued an executive order prohibiting the construction of the border wall, his administration has recently authorized restricted construction on federally protected land in the Rio Grande Valley region of Texas. While the extent to which this gesture represents a change in the posture of the Biden administration is yet to be determined, Burlison and his conservative colleagues are not content to wait. They are resolute in their intention to seize control of the situation and resist the border crisis. By introducing the State Border Defense Act, Burlison and his colleagues unequivocally declare their determination to prevent the Biden administration's careless approach from compromising the security of the United States.
