For those who did not listen to the President about the need for a southern border wall here’s a synopsis in my words. The full text is available here.
Introduction
America has a tradition of proudly welcoming millions of lawful immigrants. They enrich our society and contribute to our nation. But currently, our customs and border patrol agents encounter thousands of illegal immigrants trying to enter our country. We are out of space to hold those without documentation. We have no way to promptly return them back home to their country.
The Issue
There is a growing humanitarian and security crisis at our southern border. Our southern border is a pipeline for vast quantities of illegal drugs, including meth, heroin, cocaine and fentanyl. In the last two years, ICE officers made 266,000 arrests of aliens with criminal records. Thousands of Americans have been brutally killed by those who illegally entered our country. It strains public resources and drives down jobs and wages.
Last month, 20,000 migrant children were illegally brought into the U. S. These children are used as human pawns by vicious coyotes and ruthless gangs. This is the tragic reality of illegal immigration on our southern border. Thousands more lives will be lost if we don’t act right now. This is a humanitarian crisis, a crisis of the heart and a crisis of the soul. This is the cycle of human suffering that I am determined to end.
The budget request
The administration has presented Congress a detailed proposal to secure the border and stop the criminal gangs, drug smugglers and human traffickers. The proposal was developed by law enforcement professionals and border agents at the department of homeland security. These are the resources they have requested to properly perform their mission and keep America safe. The proposal includes cutting-edge technology for detecting drugs, weapons, illegal contraband and many other things.
We have requested more agents, immigration judges, and bed space to process the sharp rise in unlawful migration fueled by our very strong economy. Our plan also contains an urgent request for humanitarian assistance and medical support. We have asked Congress to close border security loopholes so that illegal immigrant children can be safely and humanely returned back home. Finally, law enforcement professionals have requested $5.7 billion for a physical barrier.
Justification: political posturing vs. humanitarian and security crisis
This is just common sense. The border wall would very quickly pay for itself. The cost of illegal drugs exceeds $500 billion a year. Vastly more than the $5.7 billion we have requested. The Democrats have called for declaration of a drug crisis. The wall will be paid for indirectly by the trade deal we have made with Mexico. Sen. Chuck Schumer along with many other Democrats has repeatedly supported a physical barrier in the past. Now, he continues to quibble over nickels.
The Democrats changed their mind only after my election to the presidency. Democrats in Congress now refuse to acknowledge the crisis they themselves called out. They refuse to provide our border agents with the tools they desperately need to protect our families and our nation. The federal government remains shut down for one reason only because Democrats will not fund border security. They continue to argue with their own position.
Some have suggested a physical barrier is immoral. If so, why do wealthy politicians build walls, fences and gates around their homes? Don’t they do so because they love the people on the inside? The only thing that is immoral is continuing to allow more people to be victimized while we do nothing.
Conclusion:
The only solution is for Democrats to support passage of a spending bill defending our borders and reopening the government. This is a choice between right and wrong, justice and injustice. This is about fulfilling our duty to the security of American citizens. When I took the oath of office, I swore to protect our country. And that is what I will always do so help me God.