Biden's Border Crisis is Adding to the Covid Crisis

Floor Speech

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Mr. ROSE. Mr. Speaker, 10 months into the Biden administration and crisis defines this Presidency.

Since President Biden took office, we have faced crisis after crisis, not the least of which is at our southern border. Right now, the United States is experiencing the highest number of attempted illegal border crossings in 21 years. Some 1.7 million people were apprehended attempting to enter the U.S. illegally in fiscal year 2021, ending September 30, which is a new record. Over 164,300 attempted to cross just in October. This is 128 percent increase from last October.

Since March 20, 95,000 illegal immigrants were released with notices to report on their honor. President Biden recently announced a hotly debated approach to limiting the spread of COVID-19, mandating vaccinations for Federal workers, Federal contract workers, healthcare workers, and anyone who works for a private business with over 100 employees. But take a guess as to who is not included in this wide- spread vaccine mandate--illegal immigrants.

While President Biden blames American citizens for the increase in COVID cases, he refuses to call out the record number of illegal immigrants entering the United States from COVID hotspots around the world who are potentially contributing to the spread of new and dangerous variants of the virus, like the delta, lambda, and mu strains.

On September 20, when White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki was asked about this double standard, she is quoted as saying, illegal immigrants didn't need to comply because ``they are not intending to stay.'' What a laughable statement.

Once again, we are seeing the Biden administration choosing to put the interests of illegal immigrants above the interests of the American people. Why is President Biden allowing this ever-growing burden on the already strained resources of this country to continue unabated?

Our southern border is an ongoing, full-blown catastrophe and it should be treated as one. That is why I am calling on President Biden to finally address this historic disaster of his own making and at least make a good-faith effort to stem the flow of illegal immigration, dangerous illicit drugs, and human trafficking in this country. And while he is at it, to implement stricter, more comprehensive and more effective COVID protections at our southern border.

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