In January, President Joe Biden released a proclamation which stopped construction of the United States–Mexico border wall which was originally former President Donald Trump’s idea.
“Like every nation, the United States has a right and a duty to secure its borders and protect its people against threats. But building a massive wall which spans the entire southern border is not a serious policy solution. It is a waste of money which diverts attention from genuine threats to our homeland security. My Administration is committed to ensuring that the United States has a comprehensive and humane immigration system which operates consistently with our nation’s values. In furtherance of that commitment, I have determined that the declaration of a national emergency at our southern border in Proclamation 9844 of February 15, 2019, was unwarranted. It shall be the policy of my administration no more American taxpayer dollars be diverted to construct a border wall. I also am directing a careful review of all resources appropriated or redirected to construct a southern border wall,” the proclamation read.
In response to the proclamation Sen. James Lankford visited the United States–Mexico border to get an understanding of the current situation.
During a conference call with media Wednesday Sen. James Lankford spoke about his recent trip to the border.
“Last week, I visited the southern border in the Rio Grande Valley Sector to provide ongoing oversight of our federal law enforcement and other border operations there. As ranking member of the Subcommittee on Government Operations and Border Management, I have a duty to follow up on our border operations and facilities,” Lankford said.
Lankford made several points as to why he thinks the government shouldn’t encourage illegal immigration.
“It is reasonable for any nation to know who is crossing their borders and when and where they’re crossing. Enforcing legal immigration and travel along our southern border doesn’t have to be complicated or partisan, but we should never encourage illegal immigration because of the safety risks to our nation and the individuals making the dangerous journey to the border. It is especially ironic since our northern border is closed to all traffic from Canada because of COVID-19. One of the pods I stood in which housed unaccompanied minors is designed for 80 people, there were 700 people in this pod,” Lankford said.
Biden recently worked with U.S. Department of Homeland Security to have the Federal Emergency Management Agency assist border control.
A release by the homeland security department read, “Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas has directed FEMA to support a government-wide effort within the next 90 days to safely receive shelter and transfer unaccompanied children who make the dangerous journey to the U.S. southwest border.” Lankford said he believes the country is in a crisis.
“The peak time for migrants to come to our southern border is just getting started, which is bad news since we already have more people illegally entering the United States than we have seen in 20 years. President Biden doesn’t want to call it a border crisis, but he has sent FEMA to assist with the growing humanitarian crisis, particularly the surge in children, coming in illegally. When you send in FEMA — it’s to respond to a crisis,” Lankford said.