The crisis of illegal immigration at the southern border has been ongoing for nearly two years, and Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) is highly critical of the Biden administration's handling of the situation. According to Bilirakis, illegal crossings have continued with no end in sight, and in January alone, there were more than 150k migrants illegally entering the country.
"For the 23rd month in a row, our border had more than 150k migrants illegally entering our country in January. Biden’s failed open border policies jeopardize our security. We're demanding more transparency + accountability!," demands Rep. Bilirakis.
For the 23rd month in a row, our border had more than 150k migrants illegally entering our country in January. Biden’s failed open border policies jeopardize our security. We're demanding more transparency + accountability! pic.twitter.com/g31gAKXYJy
— Gus Bilirakis (@RepGusBilirakis) February 23, 2023
Bilirakis demands more transparency and accountability from the Biden administration and asserts that their failed open border policies jeopardize the country's security. In September, Bilirakis discussed the border crisis on AM Tampa Radio, noting that 3 million migrants have entered since Biden took office, and 66 of them were on the terrorist watch list.
"66 TERRORISTS caught trying to cross the border. We have no idea how many got across undetected. Biden’s reckless disregard for the law & failure to secure the border is putting American families in danger. @JoeBiden WAKE UP & SECURE THE BORDER NOW!," Sen. Scott demanded.
Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) echoed Bilirakis' concerns, tweeting that 66 terrorists had been caught trying to cross the border, and we have no idea how many went undetected. Scott demanded that Biden wake up and secure the border now, as his reckless disregard for the law is putting American families in danger.
Florida Republicans have been increasingly vocal in recent months, with Rep. Byron Donalds rebuking Rep. Maxwell Frost's claim that the border crisis is a humanitarian issue rather than a criminal one. Donalds offered evidence of mistreatment and rape of female migrants on their way to the United States.
Gov. Ron DeSantis has also outlined a bill to severely punish those who transport illegal immigrants across the border. Offenders would be denied bail, and knowingly transporting migrants would be a third-degree felony, second-degree if the migrant is a minor.
Not only would knowingly transporting migrants be a third degree felony; second degree if the migrant is a minor, but offenders would be denied bail.
Recent polls reported by The Hill show that 66% of Americans support tightening border security, including nearly half of Hispanic and Latino respondents. Clearly, the border crisis is becoming too much for many to ignore.
