There is an undeniable crisis at our southern border. In my visits to the border, I have met with agents and seen firsthand how record-setting numbers of migrants, unaccompanied minors, and illicit drugs have poured across the border under the Biden Administration. It is imperative we work together to secure our border and end this humanitarian, public health, and national security crisis.

I believe in proven solutions to secure our border, including reinstating the “remain in Mexico” policy, maintaining Title 42 authority to protect our public health, and requiring a negative COVID test before releasing migrants. We must also finish wall construction and other border security measures while sending a clear message around the globe: do not come to the United States illegally.

The crisis on our border highlights the need to address our overall immigration system. During any consideration of legislation, I have three key principles:

1. Any effort to fix our immigration system must first start with securing our borders. Enforcement and border security need to be addressed first as part of a common-sense, step-by-step approach that focuses on a long-term solution.
2. Any reforms must contribute to the American economy and enrich hard-working Americans. Part of staying competitive is making sure we are attracting the best and brightest people from around the world. That's the American tradition, and it's why we need immigration reform that reflects the needs of our employers and job creators.
3. Any reforms must recognize that we are a nation of immigrants, but we are also a nation of laws. Granting amnesty to illegal immigrants would be an affront to the millions of legal immigrants and to the citizens of our great country. We cannot continue to have an immigration system that rewards people who break our laws while punishing those who want to follow them.

I've voted to fund border wall construction, increase funding for Customs and Border Protection (CBP) by $110.6 million, authorize the highest number of CBP and Border Security Officers in history, and provide additional technology, roads, and other tactical infrastructure to secure our border. I've also sponsored the HALT Fentanyl Act to increase penalties on the lethal opioid which has entered the U.S. through our border at record rates. I will continue to support border security efforts and solutions which fix our broken immigration system.