An America First Policy Institute (AFPI) fact sheet describes the consequences of current border policies for the United States and advocates for the implementation of America First policies to address the crisis and combat cartels. The fact sheet was released on July 18.
According to the AFPI fact sheet, more illegal migrants have entered the United States than the populations of "44 U.S. States." Among those entering the country, there have been 367 confirmed or alleged terrorists.
The Drug Enforcement Administration reports that 38,000 Americans died of fentanyl poisoning in the first half of 2023. The cartels have facilitated this drug's presence in every U.S. state by smuggling it through the southwest border and continue to do so as a means of generating profit for their operations.
The AFPI recommends reinstating America First policies, including those which "held illegal aliens accountable for violating immigration law" under President Trump, further pursuit of border wall construction, and deportation of illegal migrants, especially those with criminal convictions or records. Implementation of such policies would help in addressing cartel-related crime such as human and drug trafficking across the border, according to the AFPI fact sheet.
The America First Policy Institute is led by Executive Director Chad Wolf. According to its website, Wolf formerly served as the Acting Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security under former President Donald Trump. He is also the Chair for the Center for Homeland Security & Immigration at AFPI.
