Kinzinger Statement on Border Crisis Legislation

Press Release

Congressman Adam Kinzinger (R-Channahon) today released the following statement after the House passed H.R. 5230, the Southwest Border Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2014. H.R. 5230 provides funding to Customs and Border Patrol for increased border security and the deployment of the National Guard to the Southern Border. Additionally, it provides funding for the expedited processing of immigration cases so that children can be properly assisted and transported back to their families if they do not have a credible threat for asylum. The funding for H.R. 5230 will be offset by spending reductions and will not add to the national debt:

"The tragic conditions at our southern border have become full-blown humanitarian and national security crises," said Kinzinger. "Today we took the first step to securing our borders and providing resources to humanely address the thousands of unaccompanied minors there. We need to tackle this issue quickly and thoroughly to ensure our national security and prevent any more children from embarking on the dangerous journey from Central America."

Kinzinger is a U.S. Air Force Veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan and currently serves as a major in the Air National Guard (ANG). Earlier this month, he called for deployment of the National Guard to assist U.S. Border Patrol at the southern border.

In 2006, Kinzinger participated in Operation Jump Start as a Guardsman, a large-scale deployment of the National Guard to address security issues at the southern border. Additionally, as part of his current duties with the ANG, Kinzinger flies patrol missions over the southern border.

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