Last week, Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA-04), Chairman of the Western Caucus, led a group of eleven lawmakers to tour Arizona’s southern border. 

“People are desperate to come to the United States, and I do not blame them for wanting to come, but we need to have a controlled entrance into our country, or we’ve lost our sovereignty,” said Rep. Dan Newhouse.

Newhouse continues, “While I was at the border, I saw firsthand the chaos that is unfolding and heard directly from Customs and Border Protection about the challenges they face amidst this crisis. While the Biden Administration has made clear their willingness to ignore our Southern Border, I am committed to delivering common-sense, actionable solutions to secure our borders, stop the flow of illicit fentanyl, protect our public and private lands, and prioritize national security—for the good of communities across Central Washington and the nation.”

On Thursday, February 8, members and staff attended a briefing from the Cochise County Sheriff’s Department about how the border crisis has impacted local communities and how the federal government can support their efforts to combat increased criminal activity from cartels. They briefed us on the frequent home invasions families have been experiencing, the price drop in fentanyl indicating a rise in supply, and the power of the cartel, who will hold illegal immigrants ransom and demand money they earn from the jobs they get once they enter the United States.

Following the briefing, attendees visited the border in the Coronado National Memorial to receive a briefing from U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials. Members also participated in a House Natural Resources Committee field hearing to examine the environmental effects of the border crisis on America’s public lands.

Attending the trip along with Rep. Dan Newhouse were Reps. Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06), Doug LaMalfa (CA-01), Michelle Fischbach (MN-07), Pete Stauber (MN-08), Bruce Westerman (AR-04), Buddy Carter (GA-01), John Curtis (UT-03), Harriet Hageman (WY-AL), Kevin Hern (OK-01), Mike Collins (GA-10), and James Moylan (Guam-AL).

Photos from the trip can be found here.

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