Western South Dakota News

U.S. Senator John Thune has called on Senate Democrats and the White House to reform the asylum and parole systems in order to regain control of the southern border. Thune highlighted the negative consequences of the Biden administration's border policies, stating that communities across the country are dealing with the harsh realities. He emphasized the need for the administration to enforce the laws and focus on improving security at the southern border.

Thune addressed the Senate, stating, "For three years – almost since the day President Biden took office – we’ve confronted chaos at our southern border." He noted that the situation has only worsened over time, with record-breaking numbers of migrant encounters each fiscal year. Thune expressed concern over the alarming numbers, stating, "And if fiscal year 2024 continues on its current trajectory, we will end up breaking the record yet again."

The senator highlighted the impact of the border crisis on cities across the United States. He mentioned that New York City has seen over 150,000 migrants enter since last spring, leading to cuts in city services and temporary removal of students from classrooms to accommodate migrants. Thune also mentioned overwhelmed cities like Denver and Chicago, with the mayor of Chicago describing the situation as "unsustainable."

While acknowledging the practical problems associated with the influx of migrants, Thune emphasized the national security crisis. He stated, "Our nation cannot be secure while we have hundreds of thousands of migrants flooding across our southern border each month." Thune highlighted the risk of criminals, terrorists, and other dangerous individuals entering the country, citing the apprehension of individuals on the terrorist watchlist at the southern border. He expressed deep concern over the number of individuals who have entered the country undetected and the unknown number of individuals who have evaded apprehension.

Thune concluded by emphasizing the importance of legal immigration and the need to enforce immigration laws. He expressed hope that the ongoing border negotiations will produce real reforms to regain operational control of the southern border, stating, "Three years of chaos is three years too many. It’s time to get this done."

The senator's remarks shed light on the severity of the border crisis and the urgent need for meaningful reforms. The increasing number of migrant encounters and the impact on cities across the country highlight the gravity of the situation. The national security concerns raised by Thune underscore the need for stronger border security measures. It remains to be seen how the ongoing border negotiations will address these issues and bring about the necessary reforms.

For additional details, please follow this link: https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=E21525DD-457F-438D-9B7C-47A0CDA8076E