03.25.24

Hoeven, Scott Introduce Resolution Denouncing Biden Open Border Policies, Calling for Immediate Action to Secure the Border

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven (R-N.D.) recently joined Senator Rick Scott (R-Fla.) in introducing a resolution in the U.S. Senate denouncing the Biden administration’s open border policies, which have allowed more than 9 million individuals to illegally cross the U.S. southern border since President Biden took office. This resolution is being led in the House of Representatives by Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz (Texas-15) and passed with bipartisan support. In particular, the resolution states that the Biden administration has the authority needed to end the illegal immigration crisis, including:

  • Ending the catch-and-release policy.
  • Reinstating the Migrant Protection Protocols.
  • Entering into asylum cooperative agreements.
  • Ending abuses of parole authority.
  • Detaining inadmissible aliens.
  • Using expedited removal authority.
  • Reining in taxpayer-funded benefits for illegal aliens.

“Since day one, the Biden administration has neglected its responsibility to secure our nation’s borders, advancing policies that have enabled this illegal immigration crisis to grow,” said Senator Hoeven. “President Biden has the authority and tools needed to get operational control of the border, but he refuses to use them. That means reinstating the Remain in Mexico Policy, strictly enforcing Third Safe Country Agreements and resuming construction of the border wall, using funding Congress has already provided. Those are the sorts of policies we need to empower our border professionals to do their jobs and secure the border.”

“President Joe Biden and Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas have created the worst border security crisis in our nation’s history. The Biden administration’s open border policies have incentivized the unlawful crossing of the U.S. southern border by more than 9 million illegal aliens, including criminal aliens and suspected terrorists, from all around the world. The laws of the United States are the same today as they were when President Trump successfully secured our southern border. Everyone knows that President Biden used executive power to open the border and has the authority to close and secure the border but is purposefully failing to do so. I am proud to lead my colleagues in this resolution which affirms the authority of President Biden and his administration to secure the border and immediately end this crisis,” said Senator Scott.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) released data last week outlining more than 189,922 illegal crossings at the southern border, an increase from January’s monthly total of 176,204, and the highest February encounters under the Biden administration. In the current fiscal year, CBP has encountered more than 1,151,488 individuals at the southern border.

The full text of the resolution can be read here. In addition to Hoeven and Scott, the resolution is cosponsored by Senators Ted Cruz, Shelley Moore Capito, Marco Rubio, Kevin Cramer, Josh Hawley and Ted Budd.

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