WASHINGTON D.C. – Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV) recently traveled to Del Rio, Texas to see firsthand from United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials the ongoing crises at the U.S.-Mexico border. Congresswoman Miller visited the Del Rio Border Patrol Station, participated in a border technology demonstration, and toured the Del Rio International Bridge and Port of Entry.
"What I saw at the border was nothing short of heartbreaking," said Congresswoman Miller. "Border Patrol agents are overworked and understaffed. Families and children are sitting in detention facilities waiting to be processed. Human smugglers and drug cartels are running rampant, bringing criminals and deadly drugs through the southern border and into communities in West Virginia and across the nation. This is a humanitarian crisis, a public health crisis, and a national security crisis. My trip made clear that the consequences of Biden's border crisis span far beyond our border states. President Biden must take immediate and decisive action to support our Border Patrol agents, invest in advanced surveillance technologies, and secure the southern border now."
Pictures from the trip:
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Congresswoman Miller talks with CBP agents at the U.S.-Mexico border
Congresswoman Miller at the U.S.-Mexico border
Congresswoman Miller at the border technology demonstration
Congresswoman Miller and other Republican Members of Congress at the U.S.-Mexico border
Background:
America is experiencing the worst border crisis in history. Since Biden took office over 2 million illegal immigrants have been apprehended at our southern border. According to CBP data, there were 153,941 migrant encounters at our southern border in January 2022. That is a 96% increase from the previous year and the second worst January on record. Of the 153,941 illegal immigrants encountered at the border, the Biden administration released 62,573 into the United States.
In fiscal year 2021, 11,201 pounds of fentanyl were seized by CBP. In fiscal year 2022, already 3,569 pounds of fentanyl have been seized by CBP. The majority of America's fentanyl is being smuggled across the southern border from Mexico.
Congresswoman Miller recently joined 116 of her Republican colleagues in sending a letter to President Biden urging his Administration to take immediate action to stem the fentanyl scourge coming across the southern border, and support making the fentanyl related substances Schedule 1 classification permanent. Fentanyl related substances have been on a temporary scheduling for Schedule I classification, which will expire on March 11, 2022. The letter seeks to make the Schedule I classification of fentanyl and fentanyl related substances permanent, meaning no medical benefit for this drug.
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