West Virginia Del. Bill Ridenour (R-Jefferson) is calling for sweeping changes to U.S. border security and immigration policies in response to recent crime and drug trafficking issues he attributes to illegal immigration, which has seen an estimated 20 million illegal aliens enter the country during the Biden-Harris Administration.
Ridenour, who represents District 100 in Jefferson County, outlined his proposal for an immediate and comprehensive approach to enhance border security and address the surge in illegal immigration affecting West Virginia.
“The only effective method of enhancing border security is a complete closure of the border until the deportation of illegal aliens has been completed,” Ridenour told Federal Newswire. “Neighboring countries must understand that their economies will suffer until they curb human smuggling and illegal immigration into the United States from their territory.”
He further explained that his plan involves a voluntary self-deportation strategy with a grace period for illegal aliens to organize their departure.
“The federal government should assist in providing transportation, if necessary, to rapidly and effectively achieve the deportation program,” he said. “Those who do not voluntarily deport themselves will have to be deported by the federal government, aided by the states.”
In his district, Ridenour has seen firsthand the effects of crimes committed by illegal aliens.
“Jefferson County is experiencing a surge in apparent illegal alien crime, as reported by constituents who are seeing and suffering from the criminal activity first hand,” he said.
Ridenour recounted recent violent incidents involving illegal aliens, including the murder of Samantha Jane Dailey by an illegal immigrant and a high-speed chase involving another illegal alien.
“A Jefferson County mom, Samantha Jane Dailey, was murdered by an illegal alien who Harris and Biden brought into the U.S. when Canada refused asylum for him,” Ridenour asserted. “Another Harris-Biden illegal alien attacked a woman in her home in Bolivar, attempted to rape her, then stole her car and led police on a high-speed chase into Virginia, where he crashed.”
The 46-year-old El Salvadoran illegal alien with prior assault charges, David Antonio Calderon, was arrested for murdering 32-year-old Dailey in West Virginia. Dailey’s body was beyond recognition when it was discovered on a burning couch in a field.
Her identity was later confirmed through a GPS tracker that had stopped working, leading investigators to Calderon who was arrested in Frederick County and charged with Dailey's murder. Surveillance footage and GPS tracking helped connect Calderon to the crime scene.
Calderon, who had illegally entered the U.S. and was set for a deportation hearing, was arrested on May 8 for separate violent assaults.
Dailey’s death is under investigation by Berkeley County Sheriff Robert Blair who attributes the rise in criminal activity to the "open borders" policy and the influx of illegal aliens, which he believes compounds problems for local law enforcement. Blair has urged the Biden Administration to close the borders, citing increased local crime linked to illegal immigration and drug trafficking in his call for urgent federal action and legislative reforms to address human trafficking and illegal immigration more effectively.
“They're coming from all over the world to cross our border,” he previously told Federal Newswire. “So that's kind of concerning to me. It should be concerning to everyone that we're allowing this to happen. And then we're left to whatever crimes they commit. It’s unfortunate, but we're the ones that will respond to it.”
Ridenour is also focused on the impact of illegal immigration on local issues, such as the ongoing fentanyl crisis.
“Closing the border will have a massive effect on the fentanyl crisis in West Virginia by closing off the primary method the Communist Chinese and cartels are using to bring fentanyl and other deadly drugs into our country,” he said.
His stance reflects growing concerns over drug trafficking and its connection to border security.
Ridenour’s fear of a worsening drug crisis is backed up by sheriffs across the state who have been outspoken about the recent flood of illegals, many of whom have connections to international drug cartels.
Cabell County, plagued by one of the highest overdose rates in the nation, faces immense strain on its emergency services and rehabilitation systems.
Cabell County Sheriff Chuck Zerkle recently highlighted the severe impact of the fentanyl crisis on his community, noting that "this whole last decade has destroyed a generation."
Zerkle attributes worsening crime rates partly to the influx of illegal immigrants and links local drug issues to international cartels.
“You can't bring that many people into our country illegally, with their backgrounds and their intent without causing the problem,” Zerkle previously told Federal Newswire. “I think it definitely causes a problem. You're dumping millions of people in here. They're probably bad people—they are bad. Some of them are probably decent people just looking for a change, but there's a lot of bad people that are coming here and I think they're staying here to some degree.”
In addition to federal measures, Ridenour advocates for state-level legislation to tackle illegal immigration.
“States should pass bills criminalizing transporting illegal aliens into or through a state as an aspect of human smuggling, including the seizure of the means of conveyance and any financial or material resources,” he said.
Ridenour highlighted issues within local communities, noting that illegal immigration is affecting public services and community stability.
“We have a surge in apparently illegal aliens into Jefferson County. Trailer parks are now being filled with apparent illegal aliens, pushing out Jefferson residents,” he said.
Additionally, he mentioned challenges local schools are facing.
“School bus drivers report that they have kids on their routes who don't speak English and don't know where they live,” he said.
Ridenour supports legislation similar to Texas Senate Bill 4, which allows the state to deport illegal aliens rather than relying on the federal government.
“States and counties must support additional law enforcement resources and criminal penalties, but the best recourse is to pass bills that prevent smuggling of illegal aliens into the state and criminalizing their presence in the state,” he said.
Ridenour emphasized that the crux of the issue lies in enforcing existing immigration laws and improving cooperation between local and federal authorities.
“The only changes that will be effective are for the federal government to fully and honestly enforce our immigration laws, and deport those illegal aliens who have entered our country,” he said. “Local law enforcement should cooperate to find those engaged in human smuggling and illegal immigration, to facilitate their arrest and deportation or prosecution.”
