US Republican Attorneys General Inspect Border Wall Progress Following Approval of Funding for Trump's Wall Expansion Plan
Border Wall Construction and Immigration Crackdown Hailed by Republican Attorneys General
A coalition of 11 Republican attorneys general visited a section of the US-Mexico border in Yuma, Arizona, praising President Donald Trump's efforts to construct a border wall and reduce illegal immigration.
On their visit to the remote Yuma border on Wednesday, the attorneys general lauded a more than 90% decrease in illegal border crossings since Trump's second term began. Local officials in Yuma reported an average of 1,500 daily illegal crossings during the first six months of the Biden administration, which has since dropped to approximately four daily crossings.
The attorneys general, representing 11 states, were briefed by local officials on the impact of illegal immigration. These officials noted a significant drop following Trump's return to office, as immigration enforcement efforts have led to a decrease in encounters and unauthorized entries by about 93%. A decrease in "gotaways" by around 95% has also been recorded.
Republican Attorneys General Kris Kobach, of Kansas, noted that the border wall itself is a "force multiplier" that, along with state and local law enforcement, can help combat the larger issue of interior immigration enforcement. Kobach suggested that more GOP states entering 287(G) agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) would assist in federal law enforcement efforts.
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson discussed the trafficking of illegal drugs, particularly fentanyl, into his state. He noted that much of this fentanyl originates from Mexican drug cartels, highlighting the connection between illegal immigration and drug trafficking. Wilson also emphasized the importance of strengthening a "digital border" to combat money laundering and other illicit activities facilitated through platforms such as WeChat.
The Republican attorneys general's presence in Yuma underscores the states' growing role in enforcing immigration policies, even in those not directly bordering Mexico. Border-related issues have become critical to the entire nation, as drug trafficking and illegal immigration pose threats to the safety and security of all Americans.
BackgroundConstruction of the US-Mexico border wall remains a contentious issue, with the House Homeland Security Committee approving $46 billion in funding for new barriers, more than double the historical total spent on border wall construction[3][2]. This funding reflects the Republican administration's continued emphasis on border security and wall expansion. While the impact of the wall is highly debated, it has led to significant challenges such as environmental degradation, habitat destruction, and flooding[1][3].
[1] Environmental groups raise concerns about US-Mexico border wall construction. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://web.archive.org/web/20220117234027/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/environmental-groups-raise-concerns-us-mexico-border-wall-construction-n1230454
[2] Hill, J. L., Ng, H., & Viebeck, E. L. (2021, August 19). House GOP unveils $2 trillion border, infrastructure bills. Retrieved from https://www.politico.com/news/2021/08/18/house-gop-unveils-2-trillion-border-infrastructure-bills-498768
[3] Feder, S. (2021, March 24). The U.S. Government Has Spent More Than $4 Billion Building a Wall at the Border. Retrieved from https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/u-s-government-has-spent-more-than-4-billion-building-wall-border-180979246/
[4] Elmahrek, E. A., & Olvera, S. L. (2021, November 3). More than 85 miles of border wall built under Biden, far more than Trump averaged per month. Retrieved from https://www.texastribune.org/2021/11/03/border-wall-construction-rose-record-pace-under-biden/
Danielle Wallace is a breaking news and politics reporter at our website Digital. Story tips can be sent to [email protected] and on Twitter: @danimwallace.
- The border wall, a topic of ongoing debate, has seen increased funding in the Republican administration, with the House Homeland Security Committee approving $46 billion, a significant amount more than historical spending on border wall construction.
- While the impact of the border wall is contested, South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson raised concerns about the trafficking of illegal drugs, such as fentanyl, into his state, emphasizing the connection between illegal immigration and drug trafficking.
- Meanwhile, Republican Attorneys General, including Kris Kobach of Kansas, are advocating for a strengthened "digital border" to combat money laundering and other illicit activities facilitated through digital platforms like WeChat, highlighting the interplay between politics, technology, and crime-and-justice.
