Louisiana Republican Rep. Mike Johnson plans to introduce a bill later Tuesday that would give federal law enforcement more power to patrol the vast swathes of the U.S.-Mexico border.
The Border and Conservation Act, obtained exclusively by The Daily Caller, amends the Conservation Act to allow U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to operate within the natural areas that cover southern California and Arizona. The nature reserve designation covers 1,171,768 acres beyond the southern border. according to This includes three areas of Arizona totaling over 1,123,000 acres.
The bill would allow CBP to “access structures, facilities, and roads; conduct search and rescue operations; use automobiles, motorboats, and motorized equipment; patrol on foot and on horseback;
Read the bill here:
Johnra_011_xml To Michael Ginsberg In Scribd
Federal law enforcement agencies took action on 1,789,605 encounters at the Southwestern border during fiscal year 2023. according to Official statistics maintained by CBP. This figure is slightly higher than the 2021 total, but could remain lower than in 2022 if current trends continue. (Related: Illegal immigration surges on border patrol, terror watch list)
“However well-intentioned, the federal nature reserve designation of land along the southern border has created a significant blind spot for CBP officials seeking to maintain operational control of the border. My bill will enable CBP officials to effectively carry out their enforcement responsibilities while maintaining the sacredness of our vast natural areas,” Johnson said in a statement to the Daily Caller.
Former CBP Director Raul Ortiz resigned at the end of June, and President Joe Biden appointed former Del Rio division chief Jason Owens to replace Ortiz. Republicans generally admired Despite Biden and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorcas denouncing the handling of high levels of illegal immigration, the performance of CBP agents and personnel has been declining.
House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Greene of Tennessee is investigating Mr. Mayorcas’ handling of immigration issues, which could lead to impeachment. The Republican Research Committee includes: 175 House Republicans voted Tuesday to impeach Mayorcas.
