Rep. Chip Roy Reintroduces Bipartisan Border Security Legislation to Assist Federal Law Enforcement

Press Release

On Tuesday, Representative Chip Roy (TX-21) led 17 of his House colleagues in the reintroduction of The Border Visibility and Security Act, an effort to eradicate the invasive carrizo cane that blocks Border Patrol Agents' visibility and ultimately undermines border security.

The legislation provides for the eradication of carrizo cane growing along the Rio Grande and construction of navigable roads along the entire Southwest border. These actions are necessary to gain operational control of our southern border and provide CBP with the tools and resources needed to achieve that goal.

"It's very simple: If we want our border patrol to be able to take operational control of the border away from cartels and smugglers, then they need to be able to see everything that's going on," Congressman Roy said. "Human and drug traffickers are exploiting the lack of roads and access to smuggle drugs and migrants for profit. That adds to the severity of the Biden administration's self-inflicted border crisis, endangers American citizens in Texas and across the country, and increases the exploitation of migrants who seek to come here. Roughly 6,000 people are illegally crossing the border each day -- providing CBP with visibility and navigable roads is the least that needs to be done to secure the border."

"Large dense strands of invasive carrizo cane and poorly maintained infrastructure, such as inadequate roads and lighting, interfere with law enforcement activities that protect our border and ensure the safety and health of Americans," ," said Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28), who is an original cosponsor of the bill. "This bipartisan legislation will enhance illegal drugs interdiction efforts and increase apprehensions of smugglers. It will provide the resources needed to eradicate river reed growth along the Rio Grande, as well as build passable roads along our southern border. As the Vice Chair of the U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, I will continue to invest in effective programs that improve the safety and security of our southern border."

Specifically, the Border Visibility and Security Act:

Strengthens the requirements for border security technology along the southern border
Requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to construct at least 700 miles of navigable roads along the southwest border
Requires DHS to eradicate the cane along the Rio Grande River
Requires DHS to submit a southern border strategy to relevant congressional committees
Costs no money - provides for the use of forfeited criminal proceeds to implement the border security measures outlined in the bill
Full text of the bill is available here.

More support for the legislation:

"The Border Visibility and Security Act has the kind of common-sense border security policies that are desperately needed by the men and women on the frontlines of securing our borders," said Brandon Judd, President of the National Border Patrol Council (NBPC). Congressmen Roy and Cuellar truly know what it takes to secure our border and I want to thank them for their steadfast leadership. This legislation puts forward actual solutions that address some of the most basic obstacles preventing Border Patrol Agents from effectively doing their jobs. With no cost and bipartisan support, there is no reason Congress shouldn't immediately pass the Border Visibility and Security Act, and the NBPC implores every lawmaker to support this bill."

"The Carrizo cane remains a severe obstacle to all first responders who work along the border. It provides concealment to smuggling organizations which are significant law enforcement safety issues. It delays first responders from providing time-sensitive lifesaving skills to migrants in desperate need of medical attention," said Jaeson Jones, Captain Ret., Texas Department of Public Safety's Intelligence and Counter-Terrorism Division, Breitbart and Cartel Chronicles Team Member. "This is good legislation that will save lives. Thank you, Congressman Chip Roy, for listening to all first responders who work the border region and for following through with action by drafting this legislation."

"NumbersUSA applauds Congressman Chip Roy for his latest effort to secure the southern border," said Rosemary Jenks, Director of Government Relations, NumbersUSA. "Congressman Roy understands the costs of illegal immigration to American taxpayers, communities, and families, and is doing his part to bring an end to the lawlessness."

Source