WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Rick Scott led Senators Ron Johnson, Rob Portman, Tommy Tuberville, James Lankford, Marsha Blackburn and Mike Lee in introducing the Upholding the Law at Our Border Act. This legislation would require the Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security to investigate the vetting and processing of migrants apprehended along the southwest border and to ensure that all laws are being upheld.

Senator Rick Scott said, “Thanks to the Biden administration’s open border and amnesty policies, there have been nearly 1.7 million apprehensions at our southern border JUST THIS YEAR, with virtually zero immigrant vetting process being enforced – he’s just laying out a welcome mat for human traffickers and savage cartels bringing drugs and crime to our communities, and blatantly ignoring U.S. laws and policies that are designed to keep America safe. Under the incompetent reign of Biden and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, we have no idea how many illegal aliens have been released into our nation, we have no idea how many have been resettled and we have no idea where they are in our own country. The administration is either intentionally keeping local law enforcement and communities in the dark, or willfully breaking U.S. laws by letting unvetted immigrants roam freely across America. We can’t allow them to continue recklessly ignoring U.S. law and putting families at risk. My bill, the Upholding the Law at Our Border Act, requires an immediate investigation to ensure the proper vetting and processing of anyone that comes into our country, and holds the administration accountable for its basic duty of upholding U.S. laws.”

Senator Rob Portman, Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, said, “The Biden administration’s border crisis is continuing to set monthly records for the largest numbers of unlawful migrants crossing our border as well as allowing unprecedented amounts of deadly narcotics entering our communities. The influx has overwhelmed our Customs and Border Protection officers and agents and Congress needs to know what effect this is having on our national security as well as the enforcement of our laws. This bill will require an Inspector General investigation independent of DHS to tell Congress and the American people the facts about what is happening at the border, the impact to our nation’s security, and what laws are not being enforced as this border crisis of the administration’s own doing continues.”

Senator Tommy Tuberville said, “Authorities have apprehended 1.7 million illegal immigrants crossing our southwest border since President Biden took office – and that doesn’t include the many thousands of individuals who have evaded arrest. This record-breaking surge is a direct result of the Administration’s careless policies, leaving border patrol agents overwhelmed and unsupported. To secure the border, we first need a proper accounting of how many individuals have been released from custody so far this year, as well as an understanding of which immigration laws the administration is enforcing, if any. It’s unfortunate that the Biden administration has failed at both of these basic duties.”

Senator James Lankford said, “I have been crystal clear that Secretary Mayorkas and the Department of Homeland Security are failing to enforce our laws at the southern border, and President Biden’s failure to make national security a priority is putting Americans at risk. We have heard enough lip service from the Department of Homeland Security about how they’re ‘planning’ and ‘studying’ how to secure the border and process the record-high almost two million migrants, all while doing everything they can to continue inviting people here with open arms. Our bill to require the Inspector General to investigate what exactly is going on at DHS with vetting and processing migrants at our border will ensure we get the answers we need and not just finger-pointing and excuses.”

Senator Marsha Blackburn said, “Every town is a border town, and every state is a border state because of the crisis Joe Biden created. The Biden administration is refusing to secure the southern border and uphold the rule of law. This administration is using this crisis as an excuse to implement their amnesty for all plan. The American people deserve better.”

Senator Mike Lee said, “In order to have a compassionate immigration system we must have a working system. Congress passes laws to protect the people and interests of the United States. Only after enforcing the law can we have an immigration system that works for the American people and keeps them safe.”

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