Border Security

Border security is national security. With more than 800 miles of U.S.-Mexico border, Texas’s 23rd district has the largest stretch of the border territory of any Congressional District. The Southwest border serves a critical role from welcoming lawful immigrants into the country, keeping bad actors outside our borders, and facilitating cross-border trade. Any decisions that impact what goes in and out of our country directly affects our communities. Because of that, border security and immigration has been a top priority for me and my district.

Some of my recent efforts to uphold my commitment to a safe and secure border include:

Securing our border:

  • Consistently included funding for Operation Stonegarden
  • Consistently included funding for CBP operations
  • Introduced the Security First Act
  • Co-sponsored the LPOE Modernization Trust Fund Act 
  • Co-sponsored the SAFE Border Act 

Combatting fentanyl:

  • Introduced the Felony Murder for Deadly Fentanyl Distribution Act of 2023
  • Consistently included funding for disrupting and dismantling Transnational Criminal Organization (TCO) operations
  • Consistently included funding for Non-Intrusive Inspection Technology along the border to improve detection of illicit narcotics including fentanyl
  • Co-sponsored the TCO Illicit Spotter Prevention and Elimination Act 
  • Co-sponsored the Stop Our Scourge Act 
  • Co-sponsored the SAFE Act 
  • Co-sponsored the END FENTANYL Act 

 Personnel:

  • Consistently included funding for U.S. Border Patrol and CBP hiring initiatives
  • Consistently included funding for CBP personnel suicide prevention, including mental health clinicians and other workforce care initiatives
  • Introduced the Border Patrol Pay Parity Act
  • Previously introduced the TAPS Act

Immigration:

  • Consistently included funding for Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations
  • Consistently included funding for ICE Transportation and Removal Operations
  • Consistently included funding for processing coordinators

For more information concerning work and views related to immigration & border security, please contact my office.