Washington, D.C.—Today, Congressman Michael Cloud (TX-27) and Texas Republicans hosted a press conference to unveil their border security agenda for the 118th Congress, titled “A Commitment to Secure the Border, a Framework by Texans, for Texas.”

More than 4 million illegal migrants have been encountered at our southern border since President Biden took office. The Biden administration has released between 1-2 million of these individuals into our nation’s interior—not including approximately 1 million known gotaways since the start of FY21.

Furthermore, at least 78 people on the terrorist screening database were apprehended in FY22 and more than 24,000 lbs of lethal fentanyl have been seized under this administration.

A Commitment to Secure the Border states that Texas Republicans are committed to:

• Paying Texas back for border operations and damages
• Forcing the Biden administration to enforce our current laws
• Leveraging the power of the purse to advance border security
• Immediately shifting policy to bring much needed security to our state and country

One of the bills included in this border plan is Congressman Michael Cloud’s “287g Program Protection Act.” The 287(g) program was established to allow local law enforcement to serve as a force multiplier for ICE in apprehending illegal migrants. Aransas, Calhoun, DeWitt, Jackson, Lavaca, Matagorda, Nueces Refugio, San Patricio, Victoria, and Wharton counties all participate in the 287(g) program. 

This bill would empower local law enforcement to work with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain and deport criminal illegal migrants by encouraging more applications to the program and requiring DHS to set a recruitment goal.

“The Biden administration’s open border policies have proven to be a total disaster for our country,” Congressman Cloud said. “Texas Republicans are committed to using the leverage we have to work towards securing this nation and cracking down on the violent criminals who continue to make record profits off drug and human trafficking operations.”

The full Commitment to Secure the Border can be found HERE.

Photos of Congressman Michael Cloud at the southern border can be found HERE.

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