Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy (LA) led a group of GOP leaders who signed a letter on Tuesday urging the Biden administration to develop a plan to combat crime at the southern border.
The effort comes as the nation honors National Police Week in recognizing the work of America’s law enforcement officers.
“Around the country, we’re seeing violent crime like homicide, theft, arson, and vandalism dramatically increase while progressive leaders debate defunding the police. The Biden Administration is failing to address our wide open border where the cartels smuggle drugs and people into the United States every day,” Sen. James Lankford (OK), who joined Cassidy, said.
“We need to take action to hold criminals accountable and address lawlessness in our nation. During this Police Week, we thank our law enforcement officers and their families for their contributions and sacrifices. Their hard work on the front lines keeps us safe and reminds us that we have to always be vigilant to protect our families,” he added.
Cassidy also called for urgent action.
“If there was ever a time that the American people want to know that the president and Congress are working together to defeat the scourge of crime, the time is now. This resolution is to send the message that combating crime is what we are focused on,” Cassidy wrote.
The resolution noted that “violent crimes can only be combated if the Department of Justice, the Department of Homeland Security, other law enforcement agencies, and the private sector work together,” urging all American agencies to partner to counter the growing concerns along the border.
The other Republican senators who co-signed the letter included Chuck Grassley (IA), John Barrasso (WY), Marsha Blackburn (TN), Mike Braun (IN), Shelley Moore Capito (WV), John Cornyn (TX), Kevin Cramer (ND), Mike Crapo (ID), Ted Cruz (TX), Steve Daines (MT), Joni Ernst (IA), Bill Hagerty (TN), John Hoeven (ND), Cindy Hyde-Smith (MS), Ron Johnson (WI), Cynthia Lummis (WY), Roger Marshall (KS), Rob Portman (OH), Jim Risch (R-ID), Marco Rubio (FL), Rick Scott (FL), Tim Scott (R-SC), Dan Sullivan (AK), Thom Tillis (NC), Roger Wicker (MS), Deb Fischer (NE), Jim Inhofe (OK), and Todd Young (IN).
The letter also comes as “234,088 migrants encountered at the Southern border in April, per a DHS court filing today. That’s the highest number in DHS history. 117,989 migrants were released into the U.S. in April. 113,248 were removed, including 96,908 expelled via Title 42,” according to Fox News correspondent Bill Melugin.
BREAKING: There were 234,088 migrants encountered at the Southern border in April, per a DHS court filing today. That’s the highest number in DHS history.
117,989 migrants were released into the U.S. in April.
113,248 were removed, including 96,908 expelled via Title 42. @FoxNews— Bill Melugin (@BillFOXLA) May 16, 2022
Lankford also blasted the Biden administration regarding its response to crime during a February press conference claiming Biden keeps looking the other way as crime skyrockets.
“We have a serious problem with just basic law enforcement in this country—that right now, this Administration is trying to handcuff law enforcement and release criminals. We’re doing exactly the wrong thing, time after time after time,” Lankford said.
“Individuals that illegally cross our southern border are being released into the country, and federal law enforcement officials are being treated as if they’re hotel check-in staff rather than federal law enforcement and told to just wave people through,” he added.
Source: Dailywire
