A congressional delegation witnessed the problem first-hand on a trip to Arizona’s southern border wall
HEREFORD, AZ – House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) says the Biden administration must be held accountable for allowing the fentanyl crisis to worsen, which is killing 300 Americans every day said.
In his first congressional visit to the southern Arizona border on Feb. 16, McCarthy said it would be his sixth visit to the U.S.-Mexico border as a Republican congressman, and it wouldn’t be his last.
Less than two months after Republicans took control of the House, McCarthy said they have done more to address the fentanyl crisis and illegal immigration than the Biden administration has done in the past two years.
“I promise you this: the new majority in Congress will fight to solve this problem. No. McCarthy said at a press conference at the border wall within the Tucson sector of U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Cochise County, Arizona.
Congressional delegations included Juan Ciscomani (R-Ariz.), Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-Ore.), Jen Kiggans (R-Va.), and Derrick Van Orden (R-Wiss.). rice field.
All four incoming lawmakers represent districts affected by the fentanyl crisis.
“I’ve been saying this is no longer a border or state issue. Every state is a border state with the fentanyl crisis. It’s affecting us in many ways,” Ciscomani said. says.
McCarthy says Biden’s failed border policies have allowed the Sinaloa drug cartels to grow and thrive, with thousands of people in camouflage crossing the border, carrying backpacks filled with deadly fentanyl. is carrying
Cartels are arguably the county’s largest employers of US citizens hired to smuggle drugs and people across borders.
“Why has the population of this area grown from 66,000 to 250,000? Why is everyone wearing camouflage uniforms and rugs on their feet? [to avoid detection]Why are we catching so much fentanyl?
“How does that happen? The day President Biden takes office, when you look at the crack in the wall, why is it there? Why don’t these lights work? Because the president has changed.” [who] I said stop. I paid for the metal to be high, but it’s stored far away. “
Cochise County Sheriff Commander Robert Watkins said many residents are currently suffering from border fatigue.
“People in the border areas are tired. Everyone here has [post traumatic stress disorder] From smugglers driving through communities at 100 miles per hour. It’s not an exaggeration. something has to happen “
Watkins told the Epoch Times that the cartels are using popular social media platforms such as Snapchat and Instagram to provide cash to would-be American citizens.
In some cases, it is possible to smuggle people into the country in six hours and make $12,000, Watkins said.
“We have 1,500 [illegal] Transactions that occur monthly. Outside the U.S. government, it is the largest employer in Cochise County. “
He said social media companies are aware of the criminal activity but refuse to do anything about it.
“We have a fundamental problem. But the problem is what this administration has created,” McCarthy said.
Meeting with local leaders
Earlier in the day, the delegation discussed the border crisis with county mayors and law enforcement before receiving an air and ground tour of the border wall.
“Why am I here? Not just to support my colleagues,” said Chavez-DeRemer. “We are now a solutions maker in Washington, DC.”
After eight years as mayor of Happy Valley, Oregon, Chavez-DeRemer said local officials had lost hope over the fentanyl crisis. Her community was flooded with enough fentanyl to kill her 4.5 million people, which is more than the population of Oregon.
“If I could hear them. They are trembling. They have lost hope. Please don’t give up on us,” said Chavez Delemar. “We are here to make a difference.”
Kigans said the Biden administration “is not focused on power” on the border and the fentanyl crisis.
“It focuses on weaknesses. And our enemies are watching. You are putting your family at risk.”
“They are not getting the support they need from the Biden administration. The policies of the Biden administration have led to this crisis,” Van Oden said.
Since Biden took office in January 2021, there have been 4.6 million cases of concern and 1.2 million cases of “escape”, or nearly 6 million cases of illegal entry, according to Van Auden.
“This is how the entire population of Wisconsin has banned or entered illegal immigration since Joe Biden took office. It is unsustainable and unacceptable,” Van Orden said.
Fourth-generation rancher John Rudd provided meeting space for Congressional delegations. The ranch has been in his family for his 120 years, he spans 16,000 acres and he 10.5 miles along the border wall.
“The problem is that for the last 30 years, illegal immigration has taken away our property rights,” Rudd told the Epoch Times.
Rudd said as many as 14 illegal immigrants had turned up on his property, but despite the danger of grazing, he has no plans to quit.
“I’m not giving up. It’s our best chance to control the border,” Rudd said. “This is a violation of national security.”
“America gets it. But they better wake up and support this group of congressmen. I don’t know what else to talk about.”
McCarthy vowed bipartisan congressional hearings and legislation to resolve the border and fentanyl crises.
“The saddest thing about all this is that the Mexican government doesn’t know which citizens are leaving the country. The American government doesn’t know who comes to our country,” McCarthy said. .
“But there is one entity that knows both, the Sinaloa Cartel. They know who comes across and who comes in. I also know about drugs that kill
