House Republicans recently introduced legislation authorizing the National Guard to thwart illegal immigrants from crossing the southern border while carrying a weapon.
Rep. Morgan Luttrell (R-TX) led the effort to introduce the bill titled “Defend Our Borders from Armed Invaders Act.” Such legislation comes as the Biden administration and Texas trade barbs over border security.
The U.S. Supreme Court recently sided with the Biden administration in allowing Border Patrol agents to cut or move through barbed wire installed by Texas officials at the southern border to deter unlawful migration. Despite this, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) has continued installing razor wire along the border.
“Cartels and smugglers at our wide-open border,” Luttrell told the Daily Caller. “We’re seeing violent crime continually escalate at the border and flow into our communities, as President Biden’s policies have created an untenable national security crisis.”
“This legislation is a step in the right direction to reign in this crime by providing the National Guard the power to stop these armed individuals from crossing into the United States by any means necessary,” the Texas congressman added.
Texas officials have defied the federal government’s request to depart Shelby Park in Eagle Pass, Texas, which is a hive of illegal immigration.
In August 2023, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) released drone footage showing an armed illegal immigrant near Shelby Park.
08/02: @TxDPS Texas Rangers UAS (Drone) Operators in #EaglePass conducted a patrol flight in #ShelbyPark. Operators observed a male carrying a long gun (possibly an AR platform) guiding a group of illegal immigrants across the Rio Grande. The unidentified male made it back to… pic.twitter.com/5ZPD12dcAh
— Chris Olivarez (@LtChrisOlivarez) August 3, 2023
Since President Joe Biden took office, illegal immigration has hit record highs consistently. In 2022, Border Patrol agents recorded over 2 million illegal border crossings, and more than 2 million in 2023
Biden’s refusal to secure the southern border has paved the way for fentanyl to be imported into the U.S., killing more than 100,000 Americans.
Over 75% of Americans support using the U.S. military to defend against notorious drug cartels from pouring across the border illegally, according to a poll by the Senate Opportunity Fund.
Several members of Congress have also voiced their support for using military force to reduce illegal immigration. In January 2024, Reps. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) and Mike Waltz (R-FL) unveiled legislation to authorize the U.S. military to act against unlawful migration at the southern border.
Luttrell’s legislation was introduced alongside Reps. Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN), Chuck Edwards (R-NC), Brian Babin (R-TX), Michael Guest (R-MS), Mike Collins (R-GA) and Brandon Williams (R-NY).