Bills target border security, migrant trafficking

U.S. Reps. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) recently introduced the Emergency Migration Response Act and the Border Security and Migrant Safety Act to bolster southern border security and address migrant human trafficking.

The Emergency Migration Response Act directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to approach migration surges similarly to natural disasters by demanding large-scale migration be treated with an efficient, coordinated federal government response.

The Border Security and Migrant Safety Act establishes an intelligence group to analyze and provide insight on concentrated surges of migration while requiring DHS to initiate a joint task force focused on partnering with neighboring countries to counter transnational criminal organizations.

“Everyday migrants are dying on their journey to our southern border due to overheating, drowning, and other risks associated with crossing remote and dangerous terrains,” Gonzales said. “This border crisis has resulted in a record number of border crossings, and thus migrant deaths, and has made way for cartels to make billions off vulnerable populations. It’s long overdue that Congress provides a bipartisan solution that secures our borders and begins the conversation about legal immigration.”

Slotkin said the nation’s immigration system has been broken throughout multiple administrations.

“Neither party has provided real solutions to the crisis at our southern border that incentivize people to apply from their home country,” Slotkin said.“I’ve always been supportive of a bipartisan plan that both secures our border and reforms our laws, so today, I’m putting my money where my mouth is. I reject the idea that we have to choose between border security and welcoming those who want to come to the U.S. legally in search of a better life. We can and must do both.”