Tuesday, President Donald J. Trump (R) visited the U.S. southern border to observe the completion of the construction of over two hundred miles of the border wall. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Saks), the Ranking Member of the House Homeland Security Committee, congratulated the President following Trump’s celebrated visit to Yuma, Arizona.
“Congratulations to President Trump on this huge milestone,” Congressman Rogers said. “Since the start of President Trump’s campaign, he has promised to make our country safer by ensuring the border wall system is built. The barrier deters illegal crossings, impedes drug trafficking, and enhances safety for our Border Patrol Agents. I’m thankful to this Administration and our border law enforcement officers for their work on an all-of-the-above strategy to secure our southern border including 21st century technology, all-weather patrol and access roads, additional agents, and the physical barrier the President viewed today.”
“We’re on pace to complete 450 miles by the end of the year, and 500 miles almost immediately thereafter,” the President said at a roundtable in Yuma. “Our border has never been more secure!”
“Illegal immigration is down 84 percent from this time last year,” Trump continued. “Illegal crossings from Central America are down 97 percent.”
Nearly 450,000 pounds of illegal drugs have been intercepted by the U.S. border patrol this year alone. According to the White House as of today, U.S. Customs and Border Protection has built approximately 216 miles of new wall system. Six miles have gone up in just the past week. Construction is underway now for 339 additional miles in high-priority locations along the southern border.
“My administration has done more than any administration in history to secure our southern border,” President Trump said. “Border security is national security.”
The President said that criminal organizations, including drug traffickers and human smugglers, have long exploited America’s porous southern border to put the lives of both U.S. citizens and law-abiding immigrants at risk. Tragically, children are often the biggest victims. Vicious, transnational gangs such as MS-13 pray on minors and commit heinous attacks in communities across America.
The White House said that under President Trump, the rule of law is being restored, legal immigration is being protected, and American neighborhoods are being kept safe from drugs and violence.
67,367 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2018 alone.
Trump has made improving border security, including building the border wall, a top priority of the administration, despite opposition from congressional Democrats. Congressman Rogers has been a vocal supporter of the President’s Homeland Security priorities.
To see President Trump deliver his comments:
America's southern border has never been more secure.
"Illegal immigration is down 84 percent from this time last year. Illegal crossings from Central America are down 97 percent." pic.twitter.com/m7zoNHvHNU
— The White House 45 Archived (@WhiteHouse45) June 23, 2020
Mike Rogers is currently serving in his ninth term representing Alabama’s Third Congressional District.
