My family’s journey is a quintessential American story. In search of a better life, Cuauhtemoc Chavez immigrated to the U.S. from Mexico, earned his citizenship in World War II, and married Maria Calderon. As their grandson, being sworn into Congress this January was a powerful moment for me to reflect on all they sacrificed for the American Dream.
Now, as a congressman, I am fighting to make that dream a possibility for other families.
For too many immigrant families, the gangs and criminals they sought to escape by coming to America are the same gangs and criminals allowed into our country because of Joe Biden‘s open border. Tren de Aragua, MS-13, and the Sinaloa Cartel are perfect examples of the criminal illegal immigrant gangs whose crimes and drug trafficking thrived without strong border security.
As a former cop and a combat Army veteran, protecting my community and our national security is a high priority. Many Republicans––myself included––ran on securing the border. It’s how I flipped a district from blue to red in a heavily Democrat state.
Americans are desperate to feel safe in our own neighborhoods, but time and time again dangerous illegal immigrants stole from, raped, assaulted, and killed innocent Americans.
It is an honor to sit on the House Homeland Security Committee and help lead the charge to secure our borders and follow through on our public safety promises to our constituents. As a part of Congress’ reconciliation package, Homeland Republicans recently advanced recommendations for border security funding to protect Americans, including over $46 billion to complete the border wall system. This money will provide an additional 701 miles of primary wall, construction of 900 miles of river barriers, and even technology like sensors. A physical border is key to keeping the bad guys out.
We also provided over $7 billion for Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel, incentives, and training. This will provide CBP with the ability to hire and train 3,000 new Border Patrol agents, 5,000 new Office of Field Operations customs officers, 200 new AMO agents, and 290 CBP support staff.
In May 2023, the Department of Homeland Security‘s (DHS) Office of Inspector General released a report documenting how the border crisis had negatively impacted the mental health and morale of frontline CBP law enforcement, with one respondent saying, “We need more staff and better shifts that allow for more time off.” As a former cop, I know that a lack of proper support for law enforcement will only enable traffickers and the flow of fentanyl into our communities.
Homeland Republicans are also working tirelessly to stop deadly drugs like fentanyl and tusi from taking over our communities. Our bill provides over $5 billion for modernizing and enhancing technology and vetting to combat drug and human trafficking.
While CBP has made huge strides in interdiction efforts, current screening capacity at ports of entry remains alarmingly limited. If drug and human trafficking rings are able to get through border security measures, the onus then falls on local law enforcement, many of which are still crippled by sanctuary state policies, like in my home state of Colorado. Gaps in border security mean gaps that cartels can circumvent.
We must close those gaps, and we’re not stopping until the job is done.
Under Republican leadership, America will be safer, stronger, and more secure than ever. Homeland Security Committee Republicans are advancing funding recommendations to continue President Donald Trump‘s border security victory and bolster frontline personnel for years to come. We are putting pen to paper and following through on our promises.
Now, it’s time to get to work and secure the border for good.
Representative Gabe Evans is proudly serving Colorado’s 8th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Prior to serving in public office, Gabe served his country in the U.S. Army as a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter pilot, as an Arvada police officer, and in the Colorado State Legislature.
The views expressed in this article are the writer’s own.
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