WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Rick Scott led Senators Ron Johnson, Tommy Tuberville, James Lankford, Thom Tillis, Bill Cassidy, Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz in reintroducing the Upholding the Law at Our Border Act. Under President Biden’s failed agenda of amnesty and open borders, more than 5 million known migrants have illegally crossed the southern border and tons of deadly drugs, like fentanyl, have flooded into U.S. communities and taken more than 100,000 American lives. This legislation would require the Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to investigate the vetting and processing of migrants apprehended along the southwest border and to ensure that all laws are being upheld.

Last year, Senator Rick Scott and Congresswoman Elise Stefanik led more than 100 of their colleagues in sending a letter to the DHS Inspector General to conduct a comprehensive review of the decisions by the Biden administration that have led to the worst border crisis in United States history.

Senator Rick Scott said, “Thanks to the Biden administration’s open border and amnesty policies, more than 5 million known migrants have illegally crossed the southern border. President Biden is laying out a welcome mat for human traffickers and savage cartels bringing drugs, like fentanyl, and crime to our communities. 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. Our 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. I urge the rest of my colleagues in the Senate to support and help quickly pass this good bill.”

Senator Ron Johnson said, “There have been over 4.5 million encounters at the southwest border and over 1.2 million known gotaways dispersed into the United States without proper vetting or processing since President Biden took office two years ago. This legislation will ensure that DHS is transparent about their apprehension procedures and hold the Biden administration accountable for creating the worst border crisis in our nation’s history. Securing our southern border starts with enforcing the law.”

Senator Tommy Tuberville said, “President Biden and the Democrats’ refusal to enforce our immigration laws has made our country less safe and turned every state into a border state. The President and his Department of Homeland Security have a duty to protect American citizens. Since the current administration seems unwilling or unable to do so, Congress must hold them to account.”

Senator Thom Tillis said, “Our Southern border is still a crisis, and the Biden Administration continues to turn a blind eye. This legislation holds the Department of Homeland Security accountable by requiring DHS and the Inspector General to investigate and report on certain apprehensions at the border. This commonsense legislation would bring transparency and accountability to this administration and is long overdue. It is time we secure our border and end this humanitarian and security crisis.”

Senator Bill Cassidy said, “The crisis at the southern border has allowed fentanyl, drugs, and human traffickers to flow freely across our border. Biden refuses to do anything about it. This bill will shed light on ignored laws on the books to secure our border.”

Senator Marco Rubio said, “Our southern border is wide open. The danger to local communities and families is growing more catastrophic by the day. The Biden Administration created this crisis and refuses to take common sense steps to secure our border and protect our country. This bill, by requiring the Department of Homeland Security to investigate key information concerning the border crisis, will further assist Congress in conducting oversight.”

Senator Ted Cruz said, “Texans know firsthand the impacts of radical open border policies. Secretary Mayorkas has willfully refused to maintain operational control of the border and has dismantled key enforcement mechanisms needed to properly vet immigrants. The rule of law needs to be upheld in order to ensure the safety of Americans in communities across the nation that feel the effects of the Biden administration’s dereliction of duty.”

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