IWV Supports the Secure the Border Act of 2023
May 10, 2023
Dear Members of Congress,
Independent Women’s Voice, which fights to enhance people’s freedom, opportunities, and well-being, supports the Secure the Border Act of 2023, H.R. 2, sponsored by Representatives Mario Diaz-Balart and Tom McClintock. Among other things, H.R. 2 would restart the construction of physical barriers along the southern border (which was immediately halted by President Biden upon taking office in January 2021) and strengthen current law to protect unaccompanied children from human trafficking.
Immigrants bring important skills, labor and contributions to our economy and culture. Like any sovereign country, the U.S. must control immigration and give priority to the needs of both Americans citizens and legal immigrants. This starts with securing the border and restoring the rule of law.
Unfortunately, the senseless and reckless immigration policies of the current administration have only increased the incentives for migrants to make the costly and dangerous trek to the southern border. Today, the current situation at the southern border is a crisis of epic proportions. Illegal border-crossings are at a record high, children are being abandoned by smugglers, women and children are being victimized, people are losing their lives, criminal enterprises are flourishing, and health concerns abound — including a catastrophic spike in drug-related deaths of American citizens.
For over two years, the current administration has failed to acknowledge its failures or develop effective policies to address the ongoing crisis. Now, on May 11, 2023, Title 42, a temporary safety measure that has provided border protection and helped deter illegal immigration, will expire. The end of Title 42 will only worsen this already-dire, self-inflicted crisis.
American citizens as well as those, in the words of President Reagan, ‘yearning for freedom and opportunity’ in our great country, deserve a safe and secure border. Ultimately, in order to open a wide door to welcome future Americans into our country, America’s immigration system should be one that offers opportunity, rewards hard work and merit, and honors the rule of law.
The Secure the Border Act is a step forward in the right direction. Thank you, Rep. Diaz-Balart and Rep. McClintock for taking the humanitarian and national security crisis our country is facing seriously. We urge all members of Congress to join them and support this bill.
Respectfully,
Hadley Heath Manning
Vice President for Policy
Independent Women’s Voice