As President Trump’s second term eclipsed the 100-day mark this week, his swift actions to keep Americans safe and address the crisis on our southern border stand out in stark contrast with the failed policies of the previous administration. Executive actions to restore the Remain in Mexico policy, end the practice of catch-and-release, and appropriately classify the terror perpetrated by cartels on our southern border were long overdue.
Under the Biden-Harris administration, unprecedented criminal activity, fentanyl trafficking, and illegal crossings plagued Americans living near the border and inflicted consequences on communities across the country. What I witnessed on my visit to Eagle Pass, TX in January 2024 made it clear, the previous administration had been criminally negligent in its failure to stop to the crisis, protect Americans, or assert sovereignty over our nation’s border.
Instead, President Biden chose not to enforce our nation’s laws, going so far as to file a lawsuit against the state of Texas for taking action to secure its own border with Mexico. In December 2024, Joe Biden’s final month in office, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) recorded 47,000 migrant apprehensions. At the height of the surge in illegal crossings during his term, CBP recorded an average of 15,000 encounters per day.
The Biden administration could not even keep its message on the border consistent. In 2024, Democrats in control of the White House and Senate claimed comprehensive legislation was necessary to address the border crisis while then-Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas simultaneously testified before Congress the border “is as secure as it can be.”
Under President Trump, commonsense policy and empowered law enforcement have reduced illegal border activity to a fraction of what we saw under the Biden administration. This week, White House border czar Tom Homan reported the number of border encounters in one 24-hour period was just 178. Daily border encounters are down by 93 percent, and known “gotaways” recorded by CBP, which present a particular threat to public safety and law enforcement personnel, have been reduced by 95 percent.
This historic and rapid turnaround unmistakably demonstrates the difference it makes when a president enforces the rule of law. With the restoration of proven policies, it is no surprise to see such a decrease in illegal crossings. President Trump himself said it best in his March 4 joint address to Congress, “It turned out that all we really needed was a new president.”
I’m glad to see President Trump also recognizes the need to maintain appropriate pathways for individuals ready contribute to our society to come to this country legally. The United States has a rich legacy of immigrants finding success in our land, and many industries, including agriculture rely on migrants to fill job openings.
In Congress I have consistently advocated for policies to strengthen border security and protect Americans. In January, I supported passage of the Laken Riley Act, the first bill President Trump signed into law during this term. This bill was named in honor of the nursing student from Georgia who was tragically murdered in February 2024 by an illegal alien who had previously been arrested and released by American law enforcement multiple times. The legislation ensures dangerous criminals who are in the United States illegally are properly detained by the Department of Homeland Security.
I also support the inclusion of measures to enhance border security in the “big, beautiful bill” House Republicans are working to enact as soon as this summer. This package will help us defeat violent drug cartels and border gangs and end the scourge of fentanyl. We must take this opportunity to invest in upgraded technologies to equip border agents to fulfill their mission to keep Americans safe. President Trump and his team have exceeded expectations and already made America more secure. Likewise, we must be resolute on behalf of the American people.