While The Unprecedented Crisis At Our Border Continues, Democrats Continue To Ignore Reality
TOP TAKEAWAYS
- The Southern Border of the United States is reaching a breaking point due to illegal immigration.
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is estimated to have made over 100,000 apprehensions of illegal migrants in March 2019, an increase of 142% compared to March 2018.
- This fiscal year alone, the United States is on track to apprehend close to one million illegal immigrants at the border.
- On March 27, CBP saw the highest total daily apprehensions and encounters in over a decade with 4,117 migrants apprehended or encountered at ports of entry in a single day.
- In just January and February of this year, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) and the Office of Field Operations has already encountered more than 8,000 criminal aliens along the border and seized an estimated 282,939 pounds of drugs.
- Even Obama DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson has said we are "truly in a crisis" at the border.
- President Trump is doing everything in his power to secure the border.
- In the wake of the recent border crisis, Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen has ordered emergency surge operations at the border.
- To secure the border, President Trump has issued multiple executive orders, including declaring a National Emergency.
- President Trump has made great progress with the border wall and has secured funding for 445 of the 722 miles of wall requested by the Administration.
- President Trump has sent thousands of ICE and Border Patrol Agents, along with the U.S. National Guard troops, to secure the Southern Border.
- Despite the crisis, Democrats have continued to obstruct President Trump's efforts to secure the border.
- Democrats opposed President Trump's National Emergency Declaration.
- Many Democrats have called for ICE to be abolished.
- Senate Democrats have opposed legislation that would stop sanctuary cities.
- Democrats have opposed legislation which would have increased prison sentences for undocumented immigrants.
THE SOUTHERN BORDER IS AT A BREAKING POINT AS AN ESTIMATED 100,000 ILLEGAL MIGRANTS WERE APPREHENDED CROSSING THE BORDER JUST LAST MONTH
Last Month, U.S. Customs And Border Patrol Is Estimated To Have Made Over 100,000 Apprehensions Of Illegal Migrants
On March 6, U.S. Department Of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen Testified To The House Committee On Homeland Security That The U.S. Was Facing A Dire Humanitarian And Security Crisis At Our Southern Border. SECRETARY KIRSTJEN NIELSEN: "Our nation is facing a dire humanitarian and security crisis at our southern border. In the first four months of the fiscal year, we saw approximately 60,000 migrants each month cross illegally or present at ports of entry without documents." (Kirstjen Nielsen, Testimony, House Committee Hearing, U.S. Congress , 03/06/19)
By March 27, Customs And Border Patrol (CBP) Apprehensions Reached 90,525, A Rate That Was On Pace To Reach Over 100,000 Apprehensions In March, And Would Be The Highest Total Monthly Apprehensions In Over A Decade. (U.S. Customs And Border Patrol, Twitter Feed , 03/27/19)
- According To CBP Statistics, 90,525 Apprehensions Would Be The Highest Total Monthly Apprehensions At The Southern Border Since April 2008. ("Total Illegal Alien Apprehensions By Month," United States Border Patrol , 03/06/19)
March 2019 Apprehensions Were Up 142% From Apprehensions In March 2018. (U.S. Customs And Border Protection , Twitter Feed , 03/27/19)
On March 27, CBP Saw The Highest Total Daily Apprehensions And Encounters In Over A Decade With 4,117 Migrants Apprehended Or Encountered At Ports Of Entry In A Single Day. (U.S. Customs And Border Protection, Twitter Feed , 03/27/19)
This March, CBP Will See Over 55,000 Family Units Alone Apprehended And Encountered, More Than The Total Crossings Of All Demographics, 50,342, In 2017. (U.S. Customs And Border Patrol, Twitter Feed , 03/27/19)
As Of March 31, 2019, Nearly Every Border Patrol Sector Across The Southwest Border Has Exceeded Their Capacity. (U.S. Customs And Border Patrol, Twitter Feed , 03/27/19)
This Fiscal Year Alone, The United States Is On Track To Apprehend Close To One Million Illegal Aliens At The Border
Secretary Nielsen Told Congress That The United States Was On Track To Encounter Close To One Million Illegal Aliens At The Southern Border This Year. "'The agency is now on track to apprehend more migrants crossing illegally in the first six months of this fiscal year than the entirety of FY17, and at the current pace we are on track to encounter close to one million illegal aliens at our southern border this year.' Nielsen said." (Saagar Enjeti, "DHS: Illegal Arrivals Set To Hit One Million By End Of Year," The Daily Caller , 03/06/19)
- The Apprehension Of One Million Illegal Immigrants Would Be The Most Apprehensions Since FY2006. ("Total Illegal Alien Apprehensions By Month," United States Border Patrol , 03/06/19)
As Of March 27, Total Apprehensions For FY2019 Were 358,569. (U.S. Customs And Border Patrol, Twitter Feed , 03/27/19)
- If Apprehensions At The Southwest Border Continue At Last Month's Rate, CBP Would Make 901,719 Apprehensions In FY2019. (Data Sourced From CBP Chart, Twitter Feed , 03/27/19)
- 901,719 Apprehensions Would Be The Highest Annual Apprehensions At The Southwest Border Since FY2006. ("Total Illegal Alien Apprehensions By Month," United States Border Patrol , 03/06/19)
Former Obama ICE Official On Border Crisis Stated That The "Stunning Numbers" [Of Illegal Immigrants Coming To The Southern Border] Are Causing "Legitimate Crisis" On The Border. JOHN SANDWEG: "There's not going to be comprehensive immigration reform anytime soon. In the interim we have a legitimate crisis and are doing little meaningful steps to address it." KATE BOLDUAN: "Real quick, I just real quick, I'm out of time. You're advocating putting more judges, like a surge of judges down there in order to process claims faster." SANDWEG: "Yes." BOLDUAN: "The Secretary of Homeland Security is putting a surge of officers they just announced this morning, 750 officers to the southwest border. Does that have any of the same effect?" SANDWEG: "Yeah it does. I mean, honestly they do need to process these individuals and the numbers they have right now, they are not kidding, they are overwhelmed. I mean these are stunning numbers but they need to process them. But look it doesn't matter if you process them quickly if there isn't a hearing where you can actually process the asylum claim and get them out, so you need to do both." (CNN's "At This Hour With Kate Bolduan, 4/1/19)
Obama DHS Sec Jeh Johnson Told MSNBC "We Are Truly In A Crisis" At Border. OBAMA DHS SECRETARY JEH JOHNSON: "Well first, thanks, Mika, for having me. A little bit of context here, when I was in an office in Kirstjen Nielsen's job, at her desk I'd get to work around 6:30 in the morning and there'd be my intelligence book sitting on my desk, the PDB, and also the apprehension numbers from the day before. And I looked at them every morning, it would be the first thing I looked at and I probably got too close to the problem and my staff will tell you if it was under 1000 apprehensions the day before that was a relatively good number and if it was above 1000 that was a relatively bad number and I was going to be in a bad mood the whole day. On Tuesday there were 4000 apprehensions, I know that 100 overwhelms the system I cannot begin to imagine what 4000 a day looks like so we are truly in a crisis." (MSNBC's Morning Joe, 3/29/19)
In January And February Of This Year, The U.S. Border Patrol And The Office Of Field Operations Has Already Encountered More Than 8,000 Criminal Aliens Attempting To Cross The Border
In 2019 To Date, The U.S. Border Patrol Has Encountered 2,034 Criminal Aliens And 1,522 Aliens With Outstanding Warrants. ("CBP Enforcement Statistics FY2018," U.S. Customs And Border Protection, Accessed 3/6/19)
In 2019 To Date, The Office Of Field Operations Has Encountered 4,973 Criminal Aliens And 811 Arrests By Individuals Wanted By Other U.S. Law Enforcement Agencies. ("CBP Enforcement Statistics FY2018," U.S. Customs And Border Protection, Accessed 3/6/19)
In January And February Of This Year, The Office of Field Operations And U.S. Border Patrol Seized A Combined 282,939 Pounds Of Drugs Coming Across The Border
In 2019, The Office Of Field Drug Operations And U.S. Border Patrol Seized A Combined 282,939 Pounds Of Drugs Coming Across The Border. ("CBP Enforcement Statistics FY2018," U.S. Customs And Border Protection , Accessed 3/6/19)
- The Two Seized A Combined 34,835 Pounds Of Cocaine, 1,957 Pounds Of Heroin, 220,029 Pounds Of Marijuana, 25,296 Pounds Of Methamphetamine, And 822 Pounds Of Fentanyl. ("CBP Enforcement Statistics FY2018," U.S. Customs And Border Protection , Accessed 3/6/19)
In 2019 To Date, The U.S. Border Patrol Has Already Apprehended 370 Aliens Affiliated With Gangs, Including 160 Members Of MS13, Crossing The Border. ("CBP Enforcement Statistics FY2018," U.S. Customs And Border Protection, Accessed 3/6/19)
Customs And Border Patrol Reports That Family Unit Apprehensions Are At Historic High As Criminals Use Catch And Release Loopholes To Gain Access To The United States
Customs And Border Patrol Reports That Family Unit Apprehensions Are Up 338% From 31,100 In February FY2018 To 136,150 By February 2019. ("U.S. Border Patrol Southwest Border Apprehensions By Sector Fiscal Year 2019," U.S. Customs And Border Protection , Accessed 03/06/19)
Sec. Nielsen Reported That Now Over 60% Of Illegal Aliens Crossing Into The United States Are Par Of Family Units. "For most of recent history, the majority of individuals arriving illegally or without documentation were single adults, who we could quickly detain and remove. This is how the immigration system is supposed to work." (Kirstjen Nielsen, Testimony, House Committee Hearing, U.S. Congress , 03/06/19)
Nielsen Reported That Many Of These Families Are From Guatemala, Honduras And El Salvador And Claim Asylum And Are Released Into The United States While They Await A Court Date Years Away. "Many of these families are from the North Triangle countries (Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador) and claim asylum so they are released into the United States - while they await a court date that can be years away." (Kirstjen Nielsen, Testimony, House Committee Hearing, U.S. Congress , 03/06/19)
Nielsen Emphasized That Smugglers And Traffickers Have Caught On Too This, Realizing Entering As A Family Is A "Free Ticket" Into America. "Make no mistake: the problem is getting worse. The smugglers and traffickers have caught on, realizing this is a "free ticket" into America. As a result, the flow of families and children has become a flood." (Kirstjen Nielsen, Testimony, House Committee Hearing, U.S. Congress , 03/06/19)
Nielsen Reported that Only One In Ten Individuals From The Northern Triangle Are Ultimately Granted Asylum But It When It Comes Time To Remove The Other 90% They Have Absconded And Border Patrol Does Night Have The Resources To Find Them. "Only one in ten individuals from the Northern Triangle are ultimately granted asylum by an immigration judge. Unfortunately, when it comes time to remove the other 90% - who have been determined by an immigration judge to have no legal rights to stay in the United States - they have absconded from their last known location. And we do not have sufficient resources to find them." (Kirstjen Nielsen, Testimony, House Committee Hearing, U.S. Congress , 03/06/19)
Nielsen Reported That Smugglers And Traffickers Are Exploiting These Migrants And More Than 30% Of Women Reported Sexual Assault Along The Way. "In one study, more than 30 percent of women reported sexual assault along the way, and 70 percent of all migrants reported experience violence. Smugglers and traffickers are exploiting these migrants. They are forcing them into inhuman conditions, demanding large sums of money, and putting their lives in danger ever day." (Kirstjen Nielsen, Testimony, House Committee Hearing, U.S. Congress , 03/06/19)
PRESIDENT TRUMP IS WORKING TO SECURE THE BORDER
In Wake Of The Current Border Crisis, Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen Has Ordered Emergency Surge Operations And President Trump Has Threatened To Close The Southern Border
On March 29, 2019, President Trump Threatened to Close The Border Until Mexico Immediately Stopped All Illegal Immigration Coming Through The Southern Border. "President Donald Trump on Friday repeated his threat to close down the border between the United States and Mexico, but this time he noted he would act next week if Mexico doesn't step up. 'If Mexico doesn't immediately stop ALL illegal immigration coming into the United States throug (sic) our Southern Border, I will be CLOSING the Border, or large sections of the Border, next week,' he tweeted." (Maegan Vasquez, "Trump Adds A Deadline On This Threat To Close The Border," CNN , 03/29/19)
On April 1, 2019, Secretary Nielsen Ordered U.S. CBP Commissioner McAleenan To Undertake Emergency Surge Operations To Address The Influx Of Migrants At The Southern Border. "The Secretary ordered Commissioner McAleenan to undertake emergency surge operations and immediately increase its temporary reassignment of personnel and resources from across the agency to address the influx of migrants." (Press Release, "Secretary Nielsen Orders CBP To Surge More Personnel To Southern Border, Increase Number Of Aliens Returned To Mexico," U.S. Department Of Homeland Security , 04/01/19)
- Based Off Of Nielsen's Directive, CBP Office Of Field Operations Will Accelerate Its Planned Reallocation Of Up To 750 Officers. "According to the directive, the CBP Office of Field Operations shall accelerate its planned reallocation of up to 750 officers to Border Patrol Sectors that are affected by the emergency. Moreover, CBP is directed to explore raising that target, is authorized to exceed it, and shall notify the Secretary if reassignments are planned to exceed 2,000 personnel." (Press Release, "Secretary Nielsen Orders CBP To Surge More Personnel To Southern Border, Increase Number Of Aliens Returned To Mexico," U.S. Department Of Homeland Security , 04/01/19)
- Secretary Nielsen Likewise Directed CBP To Immediately Expand The Migrant Protection Protocols To Return Aliens To Mexico While They Await Their U.S. Immigration Proceedings. "Secretary Nielsen further directed CBP to immediately expand the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), a DHS initiative to return aliens to Mexico to wait during the pendency of their U.S. immigration proceedings." (Press Release, "Secretary Nielsen Orders CBP To Surge More Personnel To Southern Border, Increase Number Of Aliens Returned To Mexico," U.S. Department Of Homeland Security , 04/01/19)
President Trump Has Signed Various Executive Orders To Address The Crisis At Our Border Including Declaring A National Emergency To Address The Border Crisis
On February 15, 2019, President Trump Declared The Situation On The Southern Border To Be A National Emergency. "President Trump on Friday declared the situation on the southern border of the United States to be a national emergency, catapulting the country into uncertain legal and political battles as he seeks to fulfill a campaign promise that eluded him for two years." (Damian Paletta, Mike DeBonis, John Wagner, "Trump Declares National Emergency On Southern Border In Bid To Build Wall," The Washington Post , 02/15/19)
- By Declaring A National Emergency The President Is Able To Access Numerous Laws Including Funding Laws To Address A Crisis. "In 1976, Congress passed the National Emergencies Act, which permits the president to pronounce a national emergency when he considers it appropriate. The act offers no specific definition of 'emergency' and allows a president to declare one entirely at his or her discretion. By declaring a national emergency, the president avails himself or herself of dozens of specialized laws. Some of these powers have funds the president otherwise could not access." (Deanna Paul, Colby Itkowitz, "What Exactly Is A National Emergency? Here's What That Means And What Happens Next," The Washington Post , 02/15/19)
In January 2017, President Trump Signed An Executive Order Instructing Homeland Security To Take Immediate Steps To Plan, Design And Construct A Wall On The Southern Border. "The biggest piece of Trump's first executive order was his long-promised wall on the border with Mexico. The measure instructs the homeland security secretary to take 'steps to immediately plan, design, and construct a physical wall along the southern border,' in order to 'achieve complete operational control of the southern border.'" (Tal Kopan and Catherine E. Shoichet, "Key Points In Trump's Immigration Executive Orders," CNN , 1/26/17)
- The Executive Order Also Prohibited Sanctuary Jurisdictions From Receiving Federal Grant Funding. "According to the executive order, dubbed 'Enhancing Public Safety in the Interior of the United States,' cities that do not comply with federal immigration enforcement agents 'are not eligible to receive Federal grants, except as deemed necessary for law enforcement purposes by the Attorney General or the Secretary.' It also notes that the director of the Office of Management and Budget will be responsible for obtaining and providing 'relevant and responsive information on all Federal grant money that currently is received by any sanctuary jurisdiction.'" (Priscilla Alvarez, "Trump Cracks Down On Sanctuary Cities," The Atlantic , 1/25/17)
In February 2017, President Trump Signed An Executive Order Creating A Special Task Force To Develop Policies That Reduce Crime, Illegal Immigration, Drug Trafficking, And Restore Public Safety. "One of the orders, aimed at 'reduc(ing) crime and restor(ing) public safety,' directs Sessions to establish a new Task Force on Crime Reduction and Public Safety. The Task Force will develop 'strategies to reduce crime, including, in particular, illegal immigration, drug trafficking and violent crime.'" (Laura Jarrett, "Trump Signs Three New Executive Orders On Crime Reduction," CNN , 2/10/17)
President Trump Has Made Great Progress Towards The Construction Of A Border Wall With Funding Secured For 445 Miles Of The Total 722 Miles Of Wall And 111 Miles Of New Or Replacement Wall Built Or In Progress
As Of March 7, 2019, One Hundred Eleven Miles Of New Or Replacement Wall Was Built Or In Progress On The Southern Border. "One hundred eleven miles of new or replacement wall is either being built or is in progress on the southern border after Trump's first two years in office, an administration official tells The Daily Caller." (Saagar Enjeti, "Trump Has Secured Funding For More Than Half Of Border Wall ," Daily Caller , 03/07/19)
Additionally, As Of March 7, 2019, Secured Funding For Approximately 445 Miles Of The Total 722." "All told, the administration has secured funding for approximately 445 miles of the total 722 miles desired by the Trump administration, a Caller analysis finds." (Saagar Enjeti, "Trump Has Secured Funding For More Than Half Of Border Wall ," Daily Caller , 03/07/19)
On March 29, 2019, The Department Of Defense Authorized The Transfer Of $1 Billion To Begin New Wall. "The Pentagon notified Congress Monday night that it has authorized the transfer of $1 billion to begin new wall construction along the US-Mexico border, drawing immediate objections from Democratic lawmakers." ( Barbara Starr and Jeremy Herb, "Pentagon Notifies Congress $1 Billion Authorized To Begin New Wall Construction," CNN , 03/29/19)
The $1 Billion Will Go Toward Building 57 Miles Of Fencing Along The Southern Border. "A Pentagon budget reprogramming notification sent to Capitol Hill on Monday and obtained by CNN indicates that up to $1 billion will go toward building 57 miles of fencing, improving roads and other measures on the southern border." ( Barbara Starr and Jeremy Herb, "Pentagon Notifies Congress $1 Billion Authorized To Begin New Wall Construction," CNN , 03/29/19)
The Department Will Direct The Funds Towards 18 Foot-High Fencing Along The Yuma And El Paso Sections Of The Border. "The Department of Defense authorized the Army Corp of Engineers to begin planning and construction for the project Monday night. The department will direct the funds toward 18-foot-high fencing along the Yuma and El Paso sections of the border, according to a letter acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan sent to Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen." ( Barbara Starr and Jeremy Herb, "Pentagon Notifies Congress $1 Billion Authorized To Begin New Wall Construction," CNN , 03/29/19)
President Trump Has Sent Thousands Of ICE And Border Patrol Agents Along With National Guard Troops To Secure The Southwest Border
In August 2017, President Trump Ordered The Hiring Of 10,000 New Immigration And Customs Enforcement (ICE) Agents And 5,000 Additional Border Patrol Agents. "The President ordered the hiring of 10,000 new Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers and 5,000 additional border patrol agents." ("Fact Sheet: Donald J. Trump And Attorney General Sessions Stand Up Against Lawless Sanctuary Cities," The White House , 8/16/17)
In April 2018, President Trump Signed A Memorandum Deploying National Guard Troops To the Southwest Border. "President Donald Trump officially signed a memorandum to deploy the National Guard to the southwest border on Wednesday, a move that followed days of him calling for more border security." (Tal Kopan, "Trump Orders National Guard Troops To The US-Mexico Border," CNN , 4/4/18)
On May 9, 2018, DHS Announced They Would Be Requesting Approximately 700 Additional Guardsmen Plus Helicopters To Help Further Secure The Southern Border. "The Department of Homeland Security is asking the Pentagon for additional manpower and equipment to help secure the southern border, U.S. defense and Homeland Security officials tell ABC News. The defense official said the Department of Homeland Security Wednesday will request about 700 additional National Guardsmen plus helicopters and other equipment. Defense Secretary James Mattis is expected to review the request and respond to DHS on Thursday. The goal is to have it finalized in the coming days, according to a DHS official." (Geneva Sands and Elizabeth McLaughlin, "DHS Requesting 700 Additional Troops, Helicopters For Border Security," ABC News , 5/9/18)
On May 25, 2018, The Pentagon Approved DHS's Request For 736 Additional National Guard Personnel. "The Pentagon has approved another Homeland Security Department request for additional National Guards personnel in an effort to support specifically U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working by air, sea, and remote land regions, a DHS official confirmed Friday. Defense officials signed off on the deployment of up to 736 National Guard personnel to Southwest border states California, New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas." (Anna Giaritelli, "Pentagon Approves 736 More National Guard Troops To Support Air, Land, Sea Border Agents," Washington Examiner, 5/25/18)
Under The Trump Administration, Thirty Five New Assistants Were Allocated To The U.S. Attorneys' Offices Along The Southern Border
In May 2018, The Trump Administration Announced "The Dedication Of Additional Prosecutors To Handle The Prosecutions Of Improper Entry, Illegal Reentry, And Alien Smuggling Cases." "Attorney General Jeff Sessions today announced the dedication of additional prosecutors to handle the prosecutions of improper entry, illegal reentry, and alien smuggling cases, and additional immigration judges to handle the adjudication of immigration court cases that result from the crisis at the Southwest border." (Press Release, "Justice Department Announces Additional Prosecutors And Immigration Judges For Southwest Border Crisis," U.S. Department Of Justice , 5/2/18)
Thirty-Five New Assistant United States Attorney Positions Were Allocated To U.S. Attorney's Offices Along The Southwest Border. "Thirty-five new Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) positions have been allocated to U.S. Attorney's Offices along the Southwest border. The breakdown of those positions is as follows:" (Press Release, "Justice Department Announces Additional Prosecutors And Immigration Judges For Southwest Border Crisis," U.S. Department Of Justice , 5/2/18)
Between March And September 2017, Over 100 Immigration Judges Were Mobilized To DHS Detention Facilities Across The Country Including The Southwest Border
Between March And September 2017, Over 100 Immigration Judges Were Mobilized To DHS Detention Facilities Across The Country, Including Along The Southwest Border. "Between March and September 2017, EOIR mobilized over one hundred immigration judges to Department of Homeland Security detention facilities across the country, including along the Southwest border." (Press Release, "Justice Department Announces Additional Prosecutors And Immigration Judges For Southwest Border Crisis," U.S. Department Of Justice , 5/2/18)
- The Mobilized Immigration Judges Completed About 2,700 More Cases Than Expected If The Immigration Judges Had Not Been Detailed. "In October, EOIR projected that the mobilized immigration judges-hearing both in-person and VTC cases-completed approximately 2,700 more cases than expected if the immigration judges had not been detailed." (Press Release, "Justice Department Announces Additional Prosecutors And Immigration Judges For Southwest Border Crisis," U.S. Department Of Justice , 5/2/18)
In November 2017, President Trump Directed The Secretary Of Homeland Security To Deputize Local Law Enforcement To Enforce Immigration Laws
President Trump Directed The Secretary Of Homeland Security To Deputize Local Law Enforcement To Enforce Immigration Laws. "President Trump on Wednesday directed his homeland security secretary to deputize local law enforcement officials to enforce immigration laws." (Matt Zapotosky, "Trump Wants To Empower Local Police To Enforce Immigration Law, Raising Fears Of Racial Profiling," The Washington Post , 1/26/17)
As Of November 2017, "29 Departments Joined A Special Program Under Which They Are Deputized To Perform Some Tasks Of Immigration Agents, Doubling Its Size In 10 Months." "Since Trump took office in January, 29 departments have joined a special program under which they are deputized to perform some tasks of immigration agents, doubling its size in 10 months, according to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency. And the administration hopes that is just the beginning." (Mica Rosenberg and Reade Levinson, "Police In Trump-Supporting Towns Aid Immigration Officials In Crackdown," Reuters , 11/27/17)
- The Program, Known As 287(G), Allows Local Officers To "Use Federal Records To Vet Arrestees They Suspect Of Being In The Country Illegally And Then Turn Them Over To Federal Agents If They Are." "The program, known as 287(g), deputizes local officers trained by ICE to use federal records to vet arrestees they suspect of being in the country illegally and then turn them over to federal agents if they are." (Mica Rosenberg and Reade Levinson, "Police In Trump-Supporting Towns Aid Immigration Officials In Crackdown," Reuters , 11/27/17
DESPITE PRESIDENT TRUMP'S EFFORTS TO SECURE THE BORDER, DEMOCRATS CONTINUE TO OBSTRUCT AND FAVOR POROUS BORDERS
Despite The Crisis, Democrats Have Continued To Obstruct President Trump's Immigration Policy, Including Opposing His National Emergency Declaration
232 House Democrats Voted To Oppose President Trump's National Emergency Declaration To Unlock Money For Wall Construction On The Southern Border. "The House on Tuesday rebuked President Donald Trump over one of his signature issues, passing a resolution to overturn his emergency declaration to unlock money for wall construction at the US southern border. The vote was 245-182. Thirteen Republicans voted with Democrats to pass the measure. The resolution will next be taken up by the Senate, where it will put Republican unity to the test, though Senate leaders have signaled they will not bring it to a vote immediately." (Clare Foran and Alex Rogers, "House Passes Resolution To Overturn Trump's Emergency Declaration On Border Wall," CNN , 02/26/19)
47 Senate Democrats Voted To Oppose President Trump's National Emergency Declaration. "A dozen Republicans joined Senate Democrats on Thursday to overturn President Trump's declaration of a national emergency at the southwestern border, arguing that the president had exceeded his powers in trying to build a border wall over Congress's objections. The 59-to-41 vote on a measure already approved by the House set up the first veto of Mr. Trump's presidency." (Emily Cochrane and Glenn Thrush, "Senate Rejects Trump's Border Emergency Declaration, Setting Up First Veto," The New York Times , 03/14/19)
The National Security Declaration Would Allow Relevant Military Departments To Order As Many Reserve Units Or Members To Assist And Support The Activities Of Homeland Security At The Southern Border. "The Secretary of Defense, or the Secretary of each relevant military department, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law, shall order as many units or members of the Ready Reserve to active duty as the Secretary concerned, in the Secretary's discretion, determines to be appropriate to assist and support the activities of the Secretary of Homeland Security at the southern border." (Executive Office Of The President, "Declaring A National Emergency Concerning The Southern Border Of The United States," Federal Register , 02/20/19)
The National Emergency Declaration Would Also Free Up $8 Billion To Build 234 Miles Of Border Wall. "The national emergency and other measures will free up $8 billion - far more than the $5.7 billion he initially demanded - to free up funding for 234 miles of bollard wall, the White House said. It's a move that is almost guaranteed to draw the White House into a lengthy legal battle over the president's ability to use the tool for that purpose." (John Fritze and David Jackson, "Follow The Money: How President Trump's National Emergency Will Pay For A Border Wall," USA Today , 02/15/19)
2020 Democratic Presidential Candidates Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) And Rep. Beto O'Rourke (D-TX) Have Opposed Any Border Wall And Even Support Tearing Down Existing Barriers
During An Interview, Presidential Candidate Rep. Beto O'Rourke (D-TX) Said He Would "Take The Wall Down" If He Could, Referring To El Paso's Existing Border Wall. "O'Rourke, a former congressman for El Paso who ran a high-profile challenge against GOP Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, said in an interview with MSNBC's Chris Hayes on Thursday, 'Absolutely, I'd take the wall down.' His comment came in response to a question posed on Twitter by Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Texas. 'If you could snap your fingers and make El Paso's border wall disappear, would you?'" (Doha Madani, "'I'd Take The Wall Down,' Says Beto O'Rourke Of Current Border Barriers," NBC , 2/14/19)
- O'Rourke Said He Believes The Border Is Already Secure And Working To Secure The Border Further Will "Ensure Death." "He said he believes that the border is already fully secured and that further investment would take it further 'past the point of diminishing returns,' pushing migrants seeking to cross the border illegally into more dangerous and desolate territory. 'You will ensure death,' he said of Trump's proposed wall." (Jenna Johnson, "Beto O'Rourke's Immigration Plan: No Wall, Few Specifics," The Washington Post , 1/15/19)
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) Called A Wall On The Southern Border "So Absurd And Hurtful." SEEDING SOVERIEGNTY's CHRISTINE NOBISS: "There's a crisis going on at the border right now." GILLIBRAND: "There is. It's inhumane. We need to have proper asylum. This President doesn't believe in asylum. He's afraid of immigrants. He's afraid of refugees. We need to be accepting more refugees and we need to have a holistic, humane process to take on these asylm claims and process them appropriately with real immigration judges to assess them and really provide the welcoming, open arms this country has been known for." NOBISS: "I just want you to know that a lot of these people are indigenous to this land and that border is cutting them off." SEN. KIRSTEN GILLIBRAND (D-NY): "I know that's why the wall is so absurd and hurtful." (Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, Remarks To Seeding Sovereignty's Christine Nobiss , Iowa City, IA, 2/18/19)
While Campaigning In New Hampshire, Gillibrand Announced That She Could Be Open To Supporting Efforts To "Tear Down Parts Of The Existing U.S.-Mexico Border Wall." "Democratic presidential contender Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand says she could possibly support a call by former Rep. Beto O'Rourke of Texas to tear down parts of the existing U.S.-Mexico border wall. 'I'd have to ask folks in that part of the country to see whether the fencing that exists today is helpful or unhelpful,' the senator from New York told Fox News on Friday, as she was campaigning in the first-in-the-nation presidential primary state of New Hampshire." (Paul Steinhauser, "Gillibrand On Call To Tear Down Border Wall: 'If It Makes Sense, I Could Support It,'" Fox , 2/15/19)
Many Democrats Have Called For ICE To Be Abolished
Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) Said He Voted Against The Establishment Of ICE In 2002 And "That Was The Right Vote." "In 2002 I voted against the creation of DHS and the establishment of ICE. That was the right vote." (Sen. Bernie Sanders, Twitter Feed , 7/3/18)
Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) Said "We Need To Rebuilt Our Immigration System From Top To Bottom Starting By Replacing ICE With Something That Reflects Our Morals And That Works." "'Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) on Saturday joined calls from the left to get rid of Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE), saying it should be replaced with something new. 'The president's deeply immoral actions have made it obvious we need to rebuild our immigration system from top to bottom starting by replacing ICE with something that reflects our morality and that works,' Warren said during a rally in Boston." (Ali Breland, "Warren: It's Time To Replace ICE," The Hill , 6/30/18)
Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA) Said That We Need To "Critically Re-Examine ICE" And "Probably Think About Starting From Scratch." "MUST WATCH: Senator @KamalaHarris on #AbolishICE 'I think there's no question that we've got to critically re-examine ICE, and its role, and the way that it is being administered, and the work it is doing. And we need to probably think about starting from scratch.'" (Twitter Feed, Kasie DC , 6/24/18)
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) Said, "I Believe You Should Get Rid Of [ICE], Start Over, Reimagine It, And Build Something That Actually Works." (Cuomo Prime Time, Twitter Feed , 6/28/18)
Senate Democrats Have Worked To Oppose Language That Would Stop Sanctuary Cities
In 2016, 41 Senate Democrats Voted Against "The Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act," Which Would Have Stripped Federal Grant Money From "Sanctuary Cities." "A bill to ensure that State and local law enforcement may cooperate with Federal officials to protect our communities from violent criminals and suspected terrorists who are illegally present in the United States." (S.3100, Roll Call Vote #119 : Cloture Rejected 53-44: R 51-1; D 2-41; I 0-2, 7/6/16)
In Sanctuary Cities, "Officials Refuse To Hand Over Illegal Immigrants For Deportation." "In some so-called 'sanctuary cities,' officials refuse to hand over illegal immigrants for deportation." (Darla Cameron, "How Sanctuary Cities Work, And How Trump's Blocked Executive Order Could Have Affected Them," The Washington Post , 11/21/17)
- ICE Director Tom Homan Stated That These Policies "Put His Officers And Local Communities At More Risk Because They Have To Arrest Illegal Immigrants Out In The Community." "U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Tom Homan says those policies put his officers and local communities at more risk because they have to arrest illegal immigrants out in the community." (Stephen Dinan, "Homeland Security Pursues Charges Against Leaders Of Sanctuary Cities," The Washington Times , 1/16/18)
Senate Democrats Have Opposed Legislation Which Would Have Increased Prison Sentences For Undocumented Immigrants
In 2016, 40 Senate Democrats Voted Against Kate's Law, Which Would Have Increased Prison Sentences For Undocumented Immigrants Who Repeatedly Enter The United States Illegally. "A bill to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to increase penalties for individuals who illegally reenter the United States after being removed and for other purposes." (S.2193, Roll Call Vote #120 , Cloture Rejected 55-42: R: 52-0; D 3-40; I: 0-2, 7/6/16)
House Democrats Voted Against The No Sanctuary For Criminals Act Which Would Have Restricted The Abilities Of States And Localities To Receive Federal Grants If They Refused to Comply With Federal Immigration Laws
In 2017, 188 House Democrats Voted Against The No Sanctuary For Criminals Act, Which Would Restrict The Ability Of States And Localities To Receive Federal Grants If They Refused To Comply Or Interfered In The Enforcement Of Federal Immigration Laws. "A state or political subdivision not in compliance with such immigration enforcement provisions shall be ineligible to receive grants or assistance for: (1) incarceration of undocumented aliens; (2) the Cops on the Beat program; (3) the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice program; or (4) any Department of Justice (DOJ) or Department of Homeland Security (DHS) grant substantially related to law enforcement, terrorism, national security, immigration, or naturalization." ("H.R. 3003 - No Sanctuary For Criminals Act," Congress.gov , Accessed On 2/6/18)
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