Lawmakers seek comprehensive southern border policy review

U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Rick Scott (R-FL) recently joined 34 colleagues in forwarding correspondence to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), seeking a review of the department’s southern border policy.

The lawmakers noted that the follow-up letter to DHS Inspector General Joseph Cuffari stems from the initial January request that resulted in the agency’s unsatisfactory response.

“We write to reiterate our request for an investigation and that you provide details on what you have learned from your audits and investigation so far,” the legislators wrote. “As you know, this was a bicameral request signed by 107 Members of Congress, which is the largest cohort of Members to make a request of you this Congress. Since our letter was sent, the situation at the border has only become worse.”

Multiple sources confirmed to Congress the Biden administration was warned by professionals the rapid implementation of several border and immigration policies would lead to a surge at the border.

The concern, the legislators said, is that the Biden administration proceeded to implement the policies despite the harm to the nation’s border and immigration system.

“We once again request a comprehensive investigation of the crisis on our southern border,” the legislators concluded. “Since our letter was sent, the situation at the border has only become worse. In April 2022, DHS reported 234,088 apprehensions at the southern border, which is the highest number recorded for a single month in over 20 years. Members of Congress and the American people look forward to your comprehensive investigation into what has caused this crisis in order to prevent it from ever happening again.”