DV Journal

America is facing an unprecedented crisis at our southern border, one that is costing lives daily. The flood of fentanyl into our communities has become the deadliest drug epidemic in our nation’s history. Since Donald Trump took office, fentanyl deaths have skyrocketed from 10,000 annually to more than 70,000. This crisis, coupled with the unchecked flow of immigrants, demands urgent action.

The failure to secure the border has emboldened drug cartels and left American families vulnerable. Trump has a strategy to fight back — one that worked before and will work again. His plan? Leverage tariffs to force Mexico to take responsibility and crack down on the criminal organizations that manufacture and traffic fentanyl into the United States.

For decades, Washington has turned a blind eye to Mexico’s role in fueling the drug trade and illegal migration. Under Joe Biden, cartels operated with near impunity, flooding streets with deadly drugs and trafficking people across the border. Communities nationwide are paying the price with overwhelmed law enforcement, devastated families and a worsening public health crisis.

Trump’s solution is to hit Mexico where it hurts — trade. His newly announced tariff plan proposes a 25 percent tax on Mexican imports, clarifying that Mexico must act or face devastating economic consequences. In response to this pressure, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum agreed to allow 10,000 National Guard troops to the border. This is the kind of decisive leadership America needs.

The Biden administration failed to stand against Mexico’s complicity in this crisis. Trump is proving that economic leverage is a powerful tool in securing results. Mexico depends on the U.S. market for its economic prosperity — Trump is making sure it cannot continue to profit while turning a blind eye to the destruction.

The fentanyl crisis is out of control, with Mexico serving as the central hub for cartel operations. Despite repeated calls from law enforcement, the Biden administration did nothing to hold Mexico accountable. Trump’s tariff strategy changes that by tying Mexico’s economic well-being to its willingness to fight drug trafficking.

Mexico cannot continue to benefit from free trade with the United States while ignoring the cartel-driven drug epidemic killing Americans. Mexico must choose — crackdown on the cartels or suffer the consequences. Trump’s tariffs send a clear message. Act now or pay the price.

This is not Trump’s first use of economic pressure to force Mexico into action. In 2019, he threatened to escalate tariffs unless Mexico stopped illegal migration. Within days, Mexico responded by deploying thousands of troops to the border, leading to a significant drop in illegal crossings.

Now, with record-high border crossings and fentanyl deaths at catastrophic levels, Trump is showing he is the only leader willing to take bold action. Biden’s border policies exacerbated the crisis, creating chaos and endangering lives. Trump’s tariff strategy is a stark contrast — a strong, results-driven approach prioritizing American security.

This contrast is clear: Biden lets chaos continue, while Trump demands action and delivers results. 

The people must decide. Do we want failed leadership, or do we want a president who fights for our security?

As a congressman, I fought to protect American families, ensure economic stability, and advocate for stronger border security. I saw how weak policies endanger our communities. My convictions on this issue are why I continue to speak out. I believe in bold policies to protect our borders, stop deadly drugs from flooding our streets and put America first.

Using economic leverage to achieve national security goals is essential. Trump’s tariff strategy is not just about trade — it’s about holding Mexico accountable and protecting American lives.

This crisis affects every American. Families are being torn apart by fentanyl overdoses. Communities are struggling under the weight of immigration. Law enforcement is overwhelmed. Trump is proving that he will act.

The United States must hold Mexico accountable. With Trump, we will make sure it is.

The southern border has become a humanitarian disaster affecting the nation. This situation requires an immediate and effective federal response.

While we can feel compassion for those seeking a better life, we must also recognize that unfettered access to this country is not compassionate as it has created conditions for massive human and illicit drug trafficking, leading to enormous suffering. Furthermore, it threatens our national security.

No other nation in the world allows such unrestricted immigration.

We must take the following steps to rectify this situation while implementing balanced, compassionate immigration reform.

—Finish the wall. A wall provides a measure of control that no amount of electronic surveillance can. We have only 19,000 border agents, and there is no way to control every mile of the border with agents alone. When appropriately resourced with personnel and technology, the wall is an effective deterrent.

—Reinstate the Stay-in-Mexico policy. The policy was better for America and those seeking to immigrate here legally. The United States decides who has access; at the same time, immigrants should be given a clear, understandable and swift process for immigration.

—Deport any undocumented immigrant convicted of a felony. Following punishment, send the offender back to his or her country of origin. The United States should not bear the burden of felons who are here illegally.

—Make fines for employers of undocumented immigrants higher and more enforceable. We should do what we can to disincentivize employers who illegally lure in workers.

—Establish sound and reasonable work visa regulations with clear reporting requirements.

—Eliminate social services paid for by taxpayers for undocumented immigrants. Staying in the country must require following the law. American citizens should not bear the burden of those here illegally.

—Assist Mexico, Central America and South America with creating thriving economies and harmonious societies built on the rule of law. Relations with such nations must de-incentivize illegal border crossings and include plans to cripple cartels enriching themselves from human suffering.

Though the vast majority of illegal immigrants are people who are merely seeking a better life, there are thousands of hardened criminals or bad actors who must be prevented from entering.

Lax border policies allow easy entry for individuals from countries worldwide, including terrorist elements. Increasingly belligerent nations such as Russia, China and Iran are exploiting open borders. Have we so soon forgotten the attacks of 9/11?

President Biden’s policies encourage drug cartels to build ungoverned empires along the southern border, championing evildoers who have no respect for human life or our nation’s sovereignty over the well-being of American citizens.

Seemingly beneath our noses, the federal government is conducting middle-of-the- night secret transportation of illegal immigrants from the border to every state without consent from state authorities. It is no longer surprising to see undocumented immigrants sneaking across backyards or ranches after crossing the border.

Furthermore, the U.S. is using taxpayer dollars to spend on health and welfare for undocumented immigrants when such support escapes our own citizens. Fentanyl, heroin and cocaine are streaming across the border unchecked. Fentanyl is now the leading cause of death for those between 18 and 45 years.

Large quantities of drugs have shown up in  Florida,  Texas,  California and  Massachusetts.  As recently as July, Colorado law enforcement seized “about 170,000” fentanyl pills in Aurora. In fact, according to the Colorado State Patrol, just days ago, the state has “already seized more fentanyl in 2022 than all previous years combined.”

A well-controlled southern border will benefit Mexico and other South American countries, discourage the cartels and reduce human suffering.

The administration’s dereliction of duty on the southern border situation is undermining the sovereignty of the United States, threatening our national security, contributing to skyrocketing crime, and creating an increased drain on our economy. This epic failure is hurting American citizens. We must rectify this dangerous situation immediately.

Congress must act now.

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