10.20.23

Hoeven, Rubio to President: Resume, Expand Construction of Border Wall

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven this week called on President Joe Biden to secure the border and construct the border wall. In a letter led by Senator Marco Rubio, Hoeven and his colleagues outline the need to resume and expand construction of the border wall. The letter also requests that the administration resubmit its supplemental funding request to include specific resources for border construction.

The letter follows an announcement by the Biden administration that it would proceed with the construction of approximately 20 miles of the border wall. In August, the administration sought funding from Congress to address the crisis on the border, but did not request resources to construct a border wall. If the administration wants to actually combat illegal immigration, it must resubmit that request with specific resources to expand border wall construction.

 “We write with regard to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) notice of determination to begin construction of the border wall along the U.S. southern border.” This acknowledgement of the law will help to deter illegal immigration. However, less than 24 hours after the posting of the notice, this administration has sought to walk back this common sense initiative. While technology can be deployed as a useful tool on our southern border, it does not act as a physical deterrent that is required, both under the law, and in full reality of the crises that continues. Despite the administration’s messaging on this issue, construction of a border wall is sorely needed as communities and elected officials across the country demand a more robust response to illegal immigration,” wrote the senators.

“Your administration’s decision to continue construction of the Trump Administration’s physical border wall is a step in combating ‘high illegal entry’ rates. With that, more must be done. We urge you to expand border wall construction efforts along the U.S.-Mexico border.”

Hoeven and Rubio were joined in the effort by Senators Rick Scott (R-FL), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Mike Braun (R-IN), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Katie Boyd Britt (R-AL), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Mitt Romney (R-UT), Steve Daines (R-MT) and Deb Fischer (R-NE).

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