Letter to the Hon. Alejandro Mayorkas, Secretary of the US Department of Homeland Security - Dr. Joyce Leads PA Republicans in Urging DHS to Combat Drug Trafficking on Southern Border

Letter

Dear Secretary Mayorkas,

Like many Americans, we are deeply concerned by the escalating humanitarian and security crisis unfolding at the southern border. Last month alone, the dedicated men and women of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) encountered more than 100,440 migrants attempting to enter our nation without prior authorization -- an alarming 173% increase from February 2020.

As CBP diverts its limited resources away from security efforts to care for these migrants, our nation is becoming increasingly vulnerable to gang violence, human trafficking, and illicit drugs that cross the porous border. Clearly, this crisis has ramifications far beyond the southern border.

In Pennsylvania, the border crisis is also a drug crisis. Tragically, our local communities are plagued by illicit drugs -- including deadly methamphetamines, cocaine, and fentanyl -- that are trafficked across the border. In many cases, these substances originate in China or another nation and arrive on Pennsylvania streets via the southern border. Our commonwealth's substance abuse and addiction emergency has been worsened by the availability of these dangerous drugs, spurring addiction and killing our family, friends, and neighbors.

Every day, our communities face the tragic consequences of the border crisis, with first responders, health care workers, and state and local law enforcement officers on the frontlines.

By fueling this epidemic, the border crisis is stunting our economic recovery, harming our communities, and, most importantly, costing lives.

As we continue to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and its devastating consequences for substance abuse and mental health challenges, Pennsylvanians simply cannot afford for the border crisis -- and related drug trafficking -- to continue unchecked.

The mission of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is "…to stand united against the threats attacking our great nation, fellow Americans, and way of life." For the health and safety of the American people, we urge you to prioritize border security and end the humanitarian and security crisis on the southern border.

It is imperative for DHS to restore order and return CBP resources to apprehending threats to the American people. Additionally, we encourage you and the department to implement stricter oversight and enforcement of existing immigration law.

As such, we request that you please provide answers to the following questions on DHS's border security enforcement plan:

What actions, if any, will DHS take to counter the humanitarian and security crisis on the southern border?

During this ongoing crisis, will DHS assign supplemental law enforcement officers and security resources on the southern border to prevent drug trafficking?

At what point during this crisis will CBP return its full attention to apprehending threats to the American people?

Thank you for your timely consideration of this national security crisis and we look forward to hearing from you.

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