In a hearing aimed at Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Mark E. Green, MD (R-TN) voiced strong criticisms of the Biden administration's approach to border policies, according to a press release.
"The consequences of the chaos at the Southwest border have spread throughout our country, impacting all Americans," Green said.
Sept. 13 saw Green give the opening speech in a critical session aimed at scrutinizing the repercussions of the perceived crisis at the Southwest border under the watch of Mayorkas and President Joe Biden. The session was convened to delve deep into the human cost that has been a resultant factor of the current state at the border, affecting both American citizens and migrants.
In his opening statement, Green drew attention to the increased number of apprehensions made by border patrol, establishing a firm stance against what he termed the "open-borders" policy of the Biden administration. The chairman contended that this policy had fostered illegal crossings, echoing a crisis that was no longer confined to the border areas but had far-reaching impacts nationwide, affecting families indiscriminately across the U.S.
Highlighting the anguish and distress that have befallen both the American and migrant communities, Green voiced his concern over the influx of perilous drugs such as fentanyl finding their way into U.S. territories, drawing a direct line to the administration's policies at the border. He emphasized the reality of the humanitarian crisis, spotlighting the deaths and exploitation that were occurring amidst the disorder reigning at the border region.
Reinforcing his point, Green cited statistics from the CDC, which identified synthetic opioids like fentanyl as the primary drugs involved in overdose deaths, with a staggering average of over 150 individuals succumbing daily due to overdoses linked to such substances.
In addition, the chairman brought to the forefront the alarming increase in criminal activities in sanctuary cities that harbored a significant number of illegal immigrants. He recounted numerous distressing episodes that involved illegal aliens, painting a picture of escalating criminality characterized by rising violence and lawlessness.
Closing his address, Green denounced what he perceived as the reluctance of some leaders to confront the ramifications of the crisis on the populace of the United States. The chairman urged for a bipartisan approach to hold the administration answerable for what he viewed as their shortcomings. He stressed the urgent need to address the grave humanitarian implications stemming from the existing border policies, advocating for decisive action to alleviate the situation.
