I recently traveled to the U.S. – Mexico border after receiving an invitation to see first-hand the pressing challenge of the border crisis. I joined about 120 fellow state representatives from Missouri and across the nation, embarking on a journey from St. Louis to McAllen, Texas, on Sept. 28. The issue of illegal immigration demands attention, and the federal government is not solving the problem. Since Texas is at the forefront of this battle to safeguard our nation, I was eager to gain insights into how we could take action to protect our state and the entire country. We gathered valuable information from law enforcement personnel, including sheriffs from border counties.
Before our visit, I had a solid understanding of the border’s challenges, but it was worse than I thought. In 2022, over 1 million illegal immigrants were apprehended, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
A significant issue we encountered was the illegal drug trade across the border. The inflow of narcotics, particularly Fentanyl, poses a severe threat. There is also growing concern about individuals with malicious intent, including potential terrorists, entering our country through the border. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, thousands of “special interest aliens” have been arrested while attempting to cross the border illegally over the last two years, including individuals from countries identified as potential national security threats.
We heard from sheriffs’ departments and were exposed to the extensive influence of drug cartels in Mexico, the violence they perpetrate, and the concerning amount of weaponry potentially originating from the U.S. government. Since 2007, there have been thousands of murders in Mexico, raising serious concerns, especially regarding potential links to U.S. military equipment left in Afghanistan following the Biden administration’s withdrawal. The infiltration of these cartels into every state is a national security concern.
We also learned about laws Texas has enacted in response to the crisis. I plan to file three of these in our next session. The legislation will make illegal aliens guilty of felony trespassing for being present in our state, increase penalties for drug dealers targeting children, and declare cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.
Visiting a ranch near the border shed light on the daily fear experienced by residents. Cartels threaten those who might expose their activities to law enforcement. Volunteers often discover tragic scenes of deceased individuals, victims of cartel violence, abandoned in the desert.
The Trump administration’s efforts, such as border wall construction and resource provisions, were significant, but many essential tools have been removed. Sadly, the policies implemented by the Biden administration have created an environment conducive to illegal immigration and cartel activities.
We also accompanied border patrol agents along the Rio Grande, highlighting the gravity of the problem. This experience led me to believe that cartels exert a strong and negative influence over the Mexican government. I believe imposing tariffs, as President Trump did, offers a means to compel Mexico to secure their side of the border.
Addressing Central American migration and the United Nations’ role in facilitating this movement are crucial aspects of a comprehensive response. The financial support the UN provides to migrants on their way to the U.S. requires further examination and raises substantial concerns.
The border crisis extends beyond Texas, affecting every state. Collaboration is vital to safeguard our nation. We must remain vigilant and draw lessons from countries like Israel, as the security threats we face could have far-reaching consequences if we don’t secure our borders and protect our citizens decisively.
May God bless and keep you and our great nation.
Hardy Billington represents District 152, which includes Butler County.