American Security Task Force Convenes Border Security Roundtable With Key Leaders

Discussed solutions to address worsening crisis at the southern border

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Rep. John Katko (R-NY), Chair of the American Security Task Force, convened members of the task force to discuss the intensifying crisis at the southern border, particularly on the heels of the unfolding situation in Del Rio. As the Biden administration and Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas continue to deny and lie about the border crisis, the American Security Task Force is committed to working with those on the ground and directly affected by this negligence to identify real solutions.

“What we are seeing at the southern border is utter chaos,” said Rep. Katko, Chair of the American Security Task Force. “Over the last few months, we have received confirmation of the ‘unprecedented’ number of known or suspected terrorists crossing the border, that DHS is not testing migrants for COVID-19 before releasing them in communities, and that a record number of drugs are coming across the border and fueling the opioid crisis in America. The crisis at the border will continue to worsen without meaningful action. While the Biden administration chooses to continue ignoring this crisis, we will continue to put forward commonsense border security policies for the American people.”

“The President’s immigration policy decisions are directly responsible for this massive, uncontainable surge along our southern border,” said Rep. Norman, border security lead of the American Security Task Force. “On full display is either his gross incompetence or a deliberate strategy to encourage illegal immigration – neither of which is acceptable.”

Participants included:

• Rodney Scott, Former Chief, U.S. Border Patrol
• Mark Morgan, Former Acting Commissioner, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
• Del Rio Mayor Bruno “Ralphy” Lozano
• Sherriff Brad Coe, Kinney County
• Judge Lewis Owens, Val Verde County
• Richard Jankovsky III, President, Texas Department of Public Safety Officers Association
• John Hostettler, Former Member of Congress

Key Takeaways:

• Open Borders: When Border Patrol agents were pulled off the line to respond to the crisis in Del Rio, there is “no telling” what entered the country while 225 miles of border went unpatrolled for six to nine days.
• Every State Is a Border State: What is happening at the border isn’t staying at the border. These “got-aways” are headed to neighborhoods and streets across the country, posing serious threats to safety and security.
• Destructive Disconnect: There has never been such a disconnect between DHS HQ and those on the frontlines. Participants agreed from firsthand interactions with Secretary Mayorkas that he knows there is an enormous problem at the border, and while he has offered solutions in closed door meetings, he has refused to address the crisis publicly.
• Damaging Economic Effects: The economic impact of the crisis has been understated. When the Del Rio International Bridge was closed to manage the surge of Haitians, Mexican businesses and local officials got involved to stop the buses of Haitians as the port closure was financially hurting them.
• Enforce the Laws: “We don’t need to reinvent the wheel, just enforce the policies we’ve got.”
• Detached in D.C.: There is immense frustration that decisions regarding the southern border are being made alone in Washington with no input from those on the ground and on the frontline of the crisis.
• Administration Failure: The general sentiment among frontline border officials is that “Secretary Mayorkas and President Biden have failed us.”

Despite the ongoing humanitarian and security disaster in Del Rio, last week House Democrats blocked consideration of the commonsense Border Security for America Act of 2021 (H.R. 4828), which would provide Customs & Border Protection (CBP) with additional resources and personnel to secure our nation’s borders and prioritize the safety of the American people.

House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy announced the creation of the American Security Task Force earlier this year, focused on solutions to secure our borders, protect the nation against cyber attacks, and support the men and women in law enforcement. The American people deserve safety and security and a congressional majority that delivers real solutions, not dangerous policies that weaken law enforcement and open our borders.

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