About the Border

Washington, D.C. - August 29, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- President Trump made a promise to the American People that he would build a wall along the Mexican/U.S. border (and make Mexico pay for it) during his 2016 Campaign for President. Recently, President Trump threatened to shut down government if Congress does not spend billions of taxpayer dollars to begin construction of his border wall. Recently, Trump visited the border as he readied for a rally in Arizona.

Below are some statements referring to this subject by the newsmakers. (keep checking back for updates:

House Representative Nancy Pelosi (D-CA, 12th):

“Last night, (August 22) President Trump yet again threatened to cause chaos in the lives of millions of Americans if he doesn’t get his way. Make no mistake: the President said he will purposefully hurt American communities to force American taxpayers to fund an immoral, ineffective and expensive border wall.

“The last time Republicans shut down the government, their callous recklessness cost the American economy $24 billion and 120,000 jobs. With a Republican House, Senate and Administration, Republicans have absolutely no excuses for threatening America’s families with a destructive and pointless government shutdown.

“President Trump’s multi-billion dollar border wall boondoggle is strongly opposed by Democrats and many Republicans. Democrats will stand fast against the immoral, ineffective border wall and the rest of Republicans’ unacceptable poison pill riders.”

House Representative Bill Posey (R-FL, 8th):

"Maintaining operational control over our nation's borders is critical to our security and our ability to crack down on human traffickers, drug smugglers and other violent criminals and terrorists who mean to do us harm. Having been to the border and seen first hand how open and vulnerable it really is, it's important for Congress to supply the President with the tools he needs to keep our communities safe and our nation secure."

House Representative John Ratcliffe (R-TX, 4th):

“I’d like to thank the Trump administration for working closely with Congress on securing our borders and enforcing our immigration laws. After the Obama administration’s failure to protect the sovereignty and integrity of our territorial borders – which led to more crimes within our homeland and the unnecessary loss of life at the hands of criminal aliens – it’s encouraging that President Trump’s commitment to prioritizing border security has already made our country a safer place. As a member of the House Judiciary and Homeland Security committees, I look forward to continuing my work alongside the Trump administration in building upon the progress we’ve made to protect the American people.”

House Representative Bruce Westerman (R AR, 4th)

"Our nation's southern border has lacked necessary security and control for too long,” Westerman said. “I have toured the border first hand and will be making additional trips. While the brave men and women of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection do an outstanding job with the resources at their disposal, they are unable to prevent the immense flow of illegal immigrants, deadly narcotics, and illicit contraband from pouring into our country. President Trump today proved he is serious about securing our borders and protecting American citizens at home. I applaud his efforts and pledge to continue working with him in the months and years to come as we bring real security and control to our southern border."

House Representative Dave Brat (R-VA, 7th):

“The American people placed their trust in the President and Republicans in Congress last November with the expectation that we would finally take action to secure the border. Our country is the melting pot of the world and I support legal immigration, but legal immigrants and American workers should not have to compete with illegal aliens for jobs. Our country was founded upon the rule of law and it is important that we hold to those principles. It is time for Congress to step up and keep the promises we made to the American people by joining with the President to fully fund construction of a border wall and ensure the U.S. Border Patrol has the resources they need to secure our border."

House Representative Doug Collins (R-GA, 9th):

“Sanctuary cities and illegal criminals have been put on notice. From 2016 to 2017, illegal border crossings fell 52% for the period covering February to March. A human smuggler based at our southwest border reports that his business is at an all-time low. He’s considering a career change.

“At the same time, the House continues to work with President Trump to strengthen immigration enforcement policy through legislation like Kate’s Law and the No Sanctuary for Criminals Act, and it’s clear that 2017 has brought new perspective to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. As President Trump visits our southern border and we consider the status of illegal immigration into our country today, we realize that the safety of Americans and the rule of law are once again non-negotiables.”

House Representative Gerald E. “Gerry” Connolly (D-VA, 11th):

“The President promised that Mexico was going to pay for his wall. That was a lie. Now, he is willing to threaten another Republican shutdown that will hurt millions of Americans who rely on the federal government for everything from social security and veterans benefits to Medicare and Medicaid claims. It is cruel politics at its worst.”

House Representative Daniel Donovan (R-NY, 11th)

“The President is bringing much-needed focus to the crucial first step in solving our immigration crisis: securing the border. Reforming our broken immigration system will be a pointless exercise if we can’t stop illegal entries. I look forward to continuing to work with the President and my colleagues in Congress on this critical matter.”

House Representative Jeff Duncan (R-SC, 3rd):

"I am pleased by the commitment our President has shown when it comes to securing our borders and enforcing our immigration laws. I believe this was one of his most important campaign promises – not just to “Build the Wall,” but everything else entailed in true border security.

"The Trump Administration is cracking down on sanctuary cities and campuses, working to begin construction of the wall (as required by the Secure Fence Act of 2006, which President Obama ignored), he’s begun the process of hiring 10,000 new ICE agents (including 5,000 new Border Patrol Agents) and targeted national enforcement of the violent MS-13 illegal immigrant gang.

"The impact has been that illegal border crossings are down 53%, with ICE conducting 40% more raids than last year. Arrests of convicted criminal aliens are up 20%, and 2,700 criminal gang members have been removed – already more than all of last year by 35%. All in all, the President is doing exactly what I’d hoped he would in enforcing our immigration laws and protecting the country, and I look forward to working with him to do even more.

"The proof is in the numbers, and President Trump has proven what many of us have said for years, the first step towards securing our border is to have a President who is serious about enforcing the laws already on the books."

House Representative Morgan Griffith (R-VA, 9th):

“A weak border has consequences for the whole country. National security is jeopardized when we don’t know who is entering and leaving. The rule of law is diminished. Opportunities for legal immigrants who follow the rules are closed.

“Dangerous and addicting substances routinely cross the border. The 2016 National Drug Threat Assessment found that Mexican Transnational Criminal Organizations, which control smuggling corridors across the border, are the biggest criminal drug threat to the United States. Lax border security has fueled the opioid epidemic, the ready availability of meth, fentanyl, and the resurgence of cocaine. Parts of the country far from the border are in pain because the Federal Government didn’t do enough to control who or what entered our territory.

“Fortunately, the Trump Administration has shown that it takes enforcement seriously. The proof is in the numbers. Apprehensions at the border from January 1 to July 31 of this year are almost half of what they were in the same period last year, a sign that many are choosing not to risk illegal border crossings.

“We should build on this success to further guarantee the integrity of our borders. To that end, I supported the inclusion of funding for a border wall in the appropriations bill the House passed last month and urge that it be kept in any bill to fund the government.”

House Representative Louie Gohmert (R-TX, 1st):

“The best thing we can do for BOTH the United States and Mexico is to secure our border. Thankfully, we have a President who understands and is committed to that. A nation founded on laws that apply to everyone, where neither rich nor poor or supposed to be above the law, must have the law enforced to maintain its integrity, fairness, justice and opportunity. If we secure and enforce our border properly, Mexico's drug cartels are reduced dramatically, which reduces corruption and lawlessness in Mexico, and, thereby, helps Mexico finally achieve its place as one of the top economies and vibrant countries in the world.”

“A good neighbor would help Mexico in this way, which also returns America back to being a nation where the law matters and where we can continue to allow more lawful entries into the United States than any other country in the world. Thankfully, we have a President who not only understands the importance of security and the rule of law, but is doing all he can to make such security, propriety, and opportunity a reality."

House Representative Bob Goodlatte (R-VA, 6th):

“President Trump has demonstrated his commitment to restoring the rule of law by directing his Administration to enforce our nation’s immigration laws. The President’s strong action has caused illegal immigration to drop significantly at the U.S.-Mexico border. In addition to this progress, we also need to improve our nation’s immigration laws and provide more tools to further reduce illegal immigration, drug trafficking, and human smuggling.

“The House of Representatives recently passed the No Sanctuary for Criminals Act and Kate’s Law. These bills combat dangerous sanctuary policies that allow criminals to remain on our streets and punish felons who repeatedly enter the U.S. illegally, respectively. Both of these bills would dramatically improve public safety, and I call on the Senate again to pass them without delay.

“The House Judiciary Committee has also approved a number of bills to strengthen the enforcement of our immigration laws within the interior of the United States, reform the refugee and asylum programs, and ensure unaccompanied minors who make the dangerous journey to the U.S. are safely returned home. The House must pass all of these bills to provide the Trump Administration the tools needed to secure the border and enforce our immigration laws, and to ensure that future administrations do not ignore immigration enforcement laws.”

House Representative Jody Hice (R-GA, 10th)

“Securing our borders is vital to maintaining the safety of our homeland,” said Congressman Hice. "I’m grateful that President Trump has brought this issue into the forefront and given it the attention it deserves. I remain firmly committed to supporting the President's security initiatives on the southern border that will help improve our national security and ensure public safety."