By State Rep. Brooks Landgraf
This week, I traveled to Eagle Pass, Texas, to witness firsthand the ongoing migrant crisis that has engulfed our southern border. As your State Representative it was crucial for me to see the situation on the ground and understand the impact of President Biden’s open border policy. What I experienced was both heartbreaking and infuriating.
Eagle Pass stands at the forefront of a humanitarian and national security crisis. It’s almost as if this town was strategically chosen as an attack point by a military general. The sheer volume of individuals crossing the border illegally, the overwhelming strain on local resources, and the brazenness of transnational criminal activities are stark reminders of the dire consequences of misguided policies.
Under President Biden’s administration, the border crisis has reached unprecedented proportions, posing a grave threat to U.S. national security. The open-border policy has not only failed to protect our nation but has also encouraged illegal immigration, drug smuggling, human trafficking, and gang-related activities.
What I saw in Eagle Pass was a region stretched to its limits. Local, state, and federal law enforcement officers from across the country are descending on the area to assist, leaving other border communities understaffed and vulnerable. This situation is untenable and unacceptable. We should not have to rely on Texas to fill the void left by President Biden’s inaction.
And the crisis at our border is not just a Texas problem; it’s a national issue. Mexico has become the United States’ number one trading partner, and delays at understaffed border crossings are affecting international commerce. We are witnessing waves of individuals, including women and young children, seeking protection on one hand, while individuals with clear gang affiliations are being granted “amnesty” on the other. This untenable situation threatens the lives and property of Texans, our national security, and our economic interests.
I want to commend Governor Abbott, Speaker Phelan, and many of my colleagues in the Texas Legislature for taking this threat seriously and taking meaningful action. Earlier this year, I supported efforts to increase state border security funding to $5.1 billion in the state budget for 2024 and 2025. This funding supports Operation Lone Star, a joint effort between the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Texas National Guard, led by Governor Greg Abbott.
Until this administration takes decisive action, state leaders must continue to do everything we can to secure the border. We cannot stop fighting until Texas and our nation are secure. Operation Lone Star, since its inception, has led to over 470,100 illegal immigrant apprehensions and more than 34,600 criminal arrests, with more than 31,600 felony charges reported. Texas law enforcement has also seized over 431 million lethal doses of fentanyl during this border mission.
We must stand united in our commitment to safeguard our borders, protect our communities, and uphold the rule of law. President Biden’s open border policy has failed us, but Texas will not falter in the face of this crisis.
God bless Texas!
