Immigration
More on Immigration
Events in recent weeks have highlighted the importance of safety, security, and the vital role of law enforcement in our communities. Violence has no place in American life, yet we have seen troubling attacks and disruptions within our country as well as international unrest which puts Americans abroad and our allies at risk. In the midst of these challenges, the government shutdown, now ongoing for well over a week, hinders federal operations and risks delaying pay to members of law enforcement and the military.
The inalienable rights asserted by our Founders—life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness—cannot exist without proper respect for the rule of law. This starts at our borders and then flows through every branch of federal, state, and local government throughout our country. Faced with unprecedented challenges in maintaining the rule of law, Congress and the Trump administration have taken bold actions which are yielding remarkable results.
As President Trump’s second term eclipsed the 100-day mark this week, his swift actions to keep Americans safe and address the crisis on our southern border stand out in stark contrast with the failed policies of the previous administration. Executive actions to restore the Remain in Mexico policy, end the practice of catch-and-release, and appropriately classify the terror perpetrated by cartels on our southern border were long overdue.
When President Trump took office, historic inflation and a failure of leadership by the Biden administration had hammered American families and small businesses. Disastrous policies led to our agriculture producers losing ground in export markets, deadly fentanyl flooding across the border, and dangerous criminals and terrorists threatening our communities due to a lack of immigration enforcement. Threats from China, Russia, Iran, and other rogue nations were rising as American influence abroad waned.
Washington, D.C. – Rep. Adrian Smith (R-NE), released the following statement after the Biden administration issued an executive order suspending admittance of illegal immigrants seeking asylum at the southern border, effective upon recording of a 7-day average of 2,500 illegal crossings.
This week, the House was set to continue its work on the twelve annual appropriations bills to ensure the government is responsibly funded. Unfortunately, our legislative work to cut wasteful spending was disrupted when a small handful of Republicans voted with Democrats to remove the Speaker of the House. I voted against vacating the chair because it sets a disruptive precedent and because the House should be focused on delivering results for the American people.
The United States is facing an enormous crisis on our Southern Border. Failed policies and a broken immigration system have resulted in homeland security risks, a humanitarian disaster, and a loss of confidence in the Biden administration’s ability to address the crisis.
The lack of security at our southern border is deeply troubling, and the crisis continues to worsen. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), March encounters on our southern border rose nearly 25 percent over February. This crisis brings serious risks to our homeland security, grows fentanyl’s scourge on our public health, and has led to a massive humanitarian crisis that has only been made worse by the policies of the Biden administration.
As I reflect on the last year and anticipate enjoying time with loved ones during the holidays, I’m filled with both gratitude and resolve.
As Americans, we have been granted an unrivaled heritage of freedom and prosperity which we now must secure for future generations.
As Vladimir Putin’s barbaric invasion of Ukraine continues and China’s aggression towards Taiwan intensifies, we must take steps to ensure we have sound national security policy at home and abroad. Iran, which is undergoing turmoil over internal human rights protests, has contributed arms used in Russia’s recent attacks on the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv.