STATEHOUSE — State Rep. David Abbott (R-Rome City) can attest to the escalation of the illegal immigration crisis at the nation's Southern border, according to a provided news release.
He recently traveled with U.S. Senator Mike Braun (R-IN) and a delegation with the Indiana Sheriff's Association, a bipartisan group of elected sheriffs leading the trip, to Eagle Pass, Texas, and the Del Rio Sector at the United States-Mexico border.
Abbott said he wanted to gather facts about the challenges posed by illegal border crossings, and the impact on both American communities and the immigrants themselves. He said he is especially concerned about the toll on U.S. taxpayers, the escalation in criminal activity and the loss of life.
"We hear the reports, we watch the news footage, but nothing really prepares you for seeing the crisis in person," Abbott said. "This nation's current immigration policies serves as an open invitation to hardened criminals like drug dealers, human traffickers, cartel members and terrorists. The time for action is now and the Biden Administration continues to fail the American people. Our federal counterparts must re-evaluate these policies to ensure the safety of our communities."
Abbott said he was a firsthand witness to the tragic realities of asylum-seeking immigrants risking their lives on treacherous roads and dirt trails to reach the U.S. He said fatalities are a daily occurrence, either through perilous journeys, entanglement in razor wire or by being swept away while attempting to navigate the Rio Grande River.
The delegation noted instances where individuals approached authorities, surrendering themselves for processing. According to Abbott, the processing center responsible for the Del Rio Sector, which he said plays a pivotal role in managing the influx of immigrants, currently operates at a staggering $35 million per month – costs shouldered by U.S. taxpayers. He said a significant point of concern is the processing strategy once immigrants enter the U.S., with most processed immigrants only issued citations with a promise to appear in a U.S. court. He said, unfortunately, most fail to fulfill this promise, resulting in their release to the city of their choosing, raising many questions on the efficiency of the current immigration system.
"It's clear there is an urgent need to address the humanitarian crisis at the border," Abbott said. "Current policy is resulting in an uncontrolled invasion of unprecedented magnitude, bringing with it crime, drugs and sadly, death. We need action now to slow the flow of illegal immigrants into our country. This can be better accomplished by finishing the wall, increasing the number of border patrol agents and promoting responsible immigration policies."
Abbott epresents House District 18, which includes portions of Elkhart, Kosciusko, Noble and Whitley counties.