The current state of the U.S.-Canada border is facing an unprecedented surge in apprehensions, with a 114% increase in the 2024 fiscal year so far compared to the first four months of the previous fiscal year. This alarming situation has prompted 22 House Republicans, led by Reps. Mike Kelly, R-Pa., and Ryan Zinke, R-Mont., to express their concerns to the Biden administration about the orchestrated border crisis.
The Northern Border Security Caucus members, including Reps. Nick Langworthy, R-N.Y., and Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., have highlighted the growing number of apprehensions along the northern border, with 2,229 in the first four months of the 2024 fiscal year alone. This surge has led to concerns about the potential for increased illegal activities, such as drug smuggling and the presence of individuals on the terrorist watch list.
During a recent trip to the southern border, Rep. Zinke discussed how the crisis is impacting the northern border as well. He argued that the Biden administration has the authority and funding to shut down the border in part or in total but chooses not to do so. This inaction has resulted in significant increases in numbers at the northern border, including hundreds of individuals on the terrorist watch list and many more who are not found.
The northern border’s less arduous and dangerous terrain compared to the southern border makes it an attractive alternative for illegal immigrants and drug smugglers. This has led to a significant increase in fentanyl seizures at the northern border, with nearly double the amount seized in the first four months of the 2024 fiscal year compared to the entirety of the 2023 fiscal year.
The letter sent by the 22 House Republicans to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas demands answers on how the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) plans to address the strains experienced by local communities and Border Patrol agents along the northern border due to the surge in illegal immigration and drug smuggling. It also seeks information on specific policies being implemented to secure the northern border and prevent further increases in illegal activities.
The letter also questions the strategies employed to enhance detection and interception of drugs, given the alarming spike in drug smuggling by transnational criminal organizations. Additionally, it asks about the resources being allocated to support Border Patrol agents facing morale challenges due to the scale of the border crisis.
As temperatures continue to drop and Border Patrol agents conduct life-saving search and rescue missions, the Biden administration’s insistence on providing “legal pathways” for otherwise inadmissible aliens has been called into question by the Northern Border Security Caucus. The growing concern over the northern border crisis underscores the need for a comprehensive strategy to address the issue and ensure the safety and security of the United States.