WASHINGTON, DC -- The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Secure the Border Act (H.R. 2), to combat illegal immigration and shore up the southern border. The bill was passed by House Republicans just before Title 42 expires Thursday evening, lifting border restrictions that were implemented at the height of the COVID pandemic to help protect public health.  The legislation aims to stop the surge of illegal immigrants and illicit drugs now flooding into the United States. 

"We have a humanitarian crisis at the southern border that is only going to get worse without action from this Congress and the Biden Administration. Not only have there been more than five million illegal crossings on President Biden's watch, but the New York Times reports that this administration has lost track of over 85,000 children, increasing their risk of becoming victims of human trafficking," said Congressman Rogers, Dean of the House. "It's irresponsible not to take action on the border crisis. We have a duty to protect our homeland and this bill takes the first necessary steps to make U.S. citizens feel safer in their communities."

The border crisis impacts every state as more illicit opioids, like fentanyl, pour into the U.S. from Mexico. In fact, fentanyl overdoses are now the leading cause of death for Americans between the ages of 18 and 49. 

"This crisis is impacting every community as we fight to combat the deadly drugs that are showing up in our small towns and taking the lives of unsuspecting users after only one dose, in many cases. The DEA reported that six out of ten fake prescription pills now include a lethal dose of fentanyl, a drug that originates from China and Mexico," said Congressman Rogers. "Customs and Border Protection agents are now encountering higher rates of terrorist suspects as well, stopping more than 150 from crossing into the United States last year alone."

The Secure the Border Act will increase the number of Border Patrol agents, deploy better technology at the border, restart construction of the border wall, and end the Biden Administration's catch and release policy that sends bus loads of immigrants into our states with little to no tracking. 

The legislation now moves to the U.S. Senate for consideration.

For more information about Congressman Rogers' work in Washington and at home in Kentucky, visit halrogers.house.gov and follow him on social media.