Statement by Press Secretary Peter Boogaard

The following press release was published by the US Department of Homeland Security on July 25, 2014. It is reproduced in full below.

For Immediate Release DHS Press Office Contact: 202-282-8010 Recognizing the financial impact of the recent rise in illegal migration of unaccompanied children and adults with children across the southwest border, Secretary Johnson has directed increased funding in the FY 2014 Preparedness Grants to law enforcement agencies in the Rio Grande Valley. This additional funding will support the U.S. Customs and Border Protection missions—enhancing security efforts in the region, and funding more southwest border counties than ever before. The southwest border will receive 86 percent of Operation Stonegarden funding in FY 2014 and Texas will receive an 18 percent increase over FY 2013 funding levels while Arizona will receive a 3.5 percent increase. Focusing limited resources, the Department has sought every option to address the urgent situation on the southwest border, and this year’s Operation Stonegarden funding is a demonstration of that continued commitment.

Source: US Department of Homeland Security