WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, following calls this week with U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Admiral Linda Fagan and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Senator Rick Scott released the below statement regarding the ongoing migrant crisis impacting the Florida Keys. Senator Scott was joined by Monroe County Sheriff Rick Ramsay on his calls with Admiral Fagan and Secretary Mayorkas so these officials could hear directly from the sheriff on the problems this crisis is causing and what the Biden administration needs to do to support local law enforcement. Senator Scott will be traveling to the Florida Keys soon to receive briefings from local and federal officials on this crisis. More details on Senator Scott’s visit to the Keys will be released in the coming days.

Senator Rick Scott said, “President Joe Biden has brought the crisis he created on our southern border to Florida’s front door. With U.S. Customs and Border Protection reporting a 400% increase in migrant encounters in South Florida since October 2022, and recent mass arrivals of hundreds of migrants in the Florida Keys and the islands making up Dry Tortugas National Park, Monroe County Sheriff Rick Ramsay and I spoke with Coast Guard Admiral Linda Fagan and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to press for answers and resources to address the migrant crisis confronting the Keys. Florida families are already dealing with a massive increase in deadly fentanyl coming over the border and into our communities and it is unacceptable that folks in the Sunshine State are now facing yet another devastating consequence of President Biden’s commitment to keep America wide open to illegal migration. It’s clear we need answers and action now and I sincerely hope Secretary Mayorkas will go to the Keys to hear from local officials and tell us exactly how he is going to help and ultimately stop illegal immigration from continuing to hurt Florida’s communities.”

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