Samuel Case, FISM News
Texas Republicans in the House of Representatives are demanding the Biden administration reimburse the state for its efforts to secure the southern border on its own, as the illegal immigrant surge sees no sign of letting up in Fiscal Year 2023.
“For the last two years, the State of Texas has been forced to take unprecedented steps to address this crisis. Undoubtedly, the Texans we represent have been at the forefront of the crisis brought upon by your administration’s failed policies,” the 25 Republicans of the Texas Delegation wrote.
The letter highlights the ongoing humanitarian and security concerns raised by the administrations, including migrant deaths, property damage, the fentanyl crisis, and the risk of terrorists entering the country.
“98 Known or Suspected Terrorists were apprehended attempting to cross our border in FY22 (Fiscal Year 2022) alone. It only took 19 terrorists to execute the 9/11 attacks that killed so many Americans,” the letter notes.
Last month, Customs and Border Protection apprehended 17 individuals on the FBI’s Terrorist Screen Database, bringing the number of suspected terrorist encounters for Fiscal Year 2023 to 38.
“We urge you to work with the Texas Delegation to pay Texas back for the resources expended throughout Operation Lone Star, and we urge you to work with us to stop the flow of illegal migration at the southern border,” the lawmakers wrote.
Texas Governor Gregg Abbott has taken extraordinary measures to curb the influx of migrants overwhelming border communities — such as El Paso, which declared a state of emergency last month.
In 2021, Governor Abbott launched Operation Lone Star, a law enforcement effort intended to “combat the smuggling of people and drugs into Texas.” The effort combines the forces of the Texas Department of Public Safety with the National Guard and will make use of air, ground, marine, and border security resources.
The initiative has resulted in 23,000 arrests and the transfer of more than 16,000 migrants to “sanctuary” cities like New York City, Washington D.C., and Chicago, per Fox News.
The lawmakers concluded their letter requesting a meeting with President Biden “to discuss the border crisis and the solutions proposed by Members of the Texas Delegation to put an end to this crisis.”