Our nation is currently facing a humanitarian and national security crisis at the Southern Border that must be addressed. As Americans continue to bear the social and economic burdens of President Biden’s failed policies, like skyrocketing inflation and exorbitant gas prices, it continues to be a free-for-all on the Southern Border. We are now on a path to over two million illegal immigrants crossing into the country this year under President Biden. It's the worst illegal immigration crisis our nation has faced in more than two decades.

When President Biden took office one year ago, he paused deportations for millions of illegal immigrants and halted construction of the border wall. Since then, we have seen eight straight months of record-breaking illegal immigrant crossings and over 1.8 million apprehensions. Biden’s push for open border policies and amnesty for illegal immigrants has created and continues to bolster the worst border crisis in modern history. The current situation is a public health and humanitarian crisis, a haven for criminal activity, and a threat to our national security. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has been derelict in his duties by failing to address this situation, which is why I have called on him to resign.

I visited the border last year to meet with Customs and Border Protection Agents (CBP). From this visit and my ongoing review of the situation, I am supporting several steps to secure our border. First, we must immediately restart work on completing the border wall, which the Biden Administration inexplicably halted. A border wall is a tremendous tool that allows law enforcement to better manage the situation more safely and enhance our national security.

Second, we need to invest in and deploy better border technology. There are proven technologies that help border agents identify illegal activity and address it while reducing risks to themselves. The Biden Administration must work with Congress to fund and fully deploy these technologies. Third, the Administration must also work with Congress to provide law enforcement with greater budget flexibility so they can surge financial resources in times of crisis like we have now.

It is time to put America First and secure our border – this is a national security and humanitarian imperative. I will continue fighting for legislation to do just this in addition to fully advocating for the enforcement of our laws. We can and must secure our border in a manner that is compassionate, principled, and rooted firmly in our nation’s highest and most treasured values.

Securing our Southern Border

• Support H.R. 4828, the Border Security for America Act of 2021: This bill would require the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to resume all activities to construct a border barrier system along the U.S.-Mexico border that were underway or planned. It also requires DHS to deploy tactical infrastructure and technology to achieve improved situational awareness and operational control of the Southern Border. This legislation would reinstitute President Trump's successful border policies and invest in critical infrastructure as well as support our federal law enforcement officers. We need strong policies at our Southern Border to protect and enhance our national security. Securing our borders helps ensure our national security as well as our economic prosperity.

• Support H.R. 5759, the BE GONE Act: This bill would block and deport illegal immigrants trying to enter the United States who have been convicted of sexual assault. Specifically, this legislation would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 to include sexual abuse, sexual assault, and aggravated sexual violence as crimes that would disqualify foreign applicants for residence in the United States. This measure would also make resident immigrants who are not citizens deportable. Border security is national security, and this legislation would help keep our communities safe.

Prioritizing America First

• Support H.R. 7458, the Public Health and Border Security Act: Earlier this year, President Biden announced his intent to remove Title 42 without first implementing a plan to replace it and secure our border. The current policy was put in place by President Trump and allows Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents to send illegal immigrants back to their home countries immediately after apprehension. It was implemented by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in March 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. I continue to advocate for maintaining Title 42 authorities until a strategy is put in place to address the anticipated influx of illegal immigrants, which is exactly what this bill does: it prevents President Biden from lifting Title 42 restrictions currently in place without a plan in place to address the anticipated surge of immigrants. 

• Support H.R. 2076, the COVID-19 Border Protection Act: This legislation would require the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in consultation with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), to develop a comprehensive strategy to test migrants encountered by DHS and HHS officials at the border and quarantine those who test positive. We must do everything in our power to protect our constituents from a resurgence of COVID-19 and this bill accomplishes that vital objective.

• Support H.Res. 1002, Calling for the Removal of Vice President Kamala Harris as head of the Border Crisis: Vice President Kamala Harris has abjectly failed as Border Czar. This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that Vice President Kamala Harris should be removed from her position as the head of the Biden administration's strategy to address the root causes of migration and replaced with someone who will put America’s interests and security first. We need a leader who cares about securing our Southern Border and protecting American communities.

Upholding the Rule of Law

• Support H.R. 6592, the Immigration Transparency and Transit Notification Act of 2022: This legislation would require the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Health and Human Services (HHS) to notify the relevant federal, state, and local officials about the transportation, by bus or plane, and placement of illegal immigrants or unaccompanied alien children (UAC) in their state. It is unacceptable for thousands of illegal aliens to be transported and released into towns and communities across our country. This is yet another example of the Biden Administration’s failed approach to border and immigration enforcement. This legislation would bring accountability, oversight, and local input into immigration matters impacting our communities.

• Support H.R. 5854, the Illegal Immigrant Payoff Prohibition Act: This legislation would prevent the Attorney General of the United States from making settlement payments to individuals and families who entered the United States illegally. This bill is a direct response to reports that the Biden Administration is proposing to pay as much as $450,000 per person to compensate families that unlawfully entered the United States. The Administration’s policy would worsen the border crisis and lead to an increase in drug cartels and human traffickers. Law-abiding, hardworking Americans deserve rational and strong policies that, instead, work to preserve and instill the rule of law.

Your views are very important to me. I hope you will take the time to review this plan and let me know what you think. If you would like to contact me, you can write to me on my website at tenney.house.gov or call my office at 202-225-3665 with feedback, questions, or concerns.