NW Kentucky News

Subcommittee on National Security, the Border, and Foreign Affairs Chairman Glenn Grothman (R-Wis.) opened a hearing titled “The Border Crisis: The Cost of Chaos” by addressing the impact of the Biden-Harris Administration's border policies. He described these policies as creating the worst border crisis in U.S. history, affecting communities nationwide through violent crimes committed by illegal aliens and strain on public services, housing, and the job market.

Grothman stated that "the Biden-Harris Administration’s open border policies have led to the worst border crisis in American history," attributing this to millions of illegal aliens entering the country. He dismissed Vice President Kamala Harris's claim that root causes in Central America were responsible for the migration surge.

He highlighted that nearly half of inadmissible aliens encountered at the southwest border in the first seven months of Fiscal Year 2024 came from countries other than Mexico, Northern Triangle Countries, and Nicaragua. Grothman argued that this crisis did not stem from a lack of authority but rather from a refusal to use existing tools such as reinstating Trump-era policies like Remain in Mexico and detaining rather than releasing illegal aliens.

Grothman criticized a Senate border bill supported by Vice President Harris, claiming it would codify catch-and-release policies and allow up to 1.8 million illegal aliens to enter per year before temporarily closing parts of the border.

"The Biden-Harris Administration’s refusal to secure our border and instead allow millions of poorly vetted aliens from all over the world to be released is not without costs, both human and economic," he said. Grothman cited violent crimes committed by released illegal aliens and noted foreign gangs' activities within U.S. communities.

He specifically mentioned Tren de Aragua, a gang originating from Venezuela's communist regime described as MS-13 "on steroids." He claimed over 100 suspected members were found among those who stormed the El Paso border in March.

According to Grothman, at least 617,000 illegal aliens with known criminal backgrounds have been released by the administration. Additionally, he pointed out that approximately 1.9 million individuals evaded apprehension entirely.

On fiscal impacts, Grothman stated experts estimate each illegal alien costs taxpayers roughly $68,000 due to their higher usage of public services compared to their tax contributions. He also highlighted job competition between working-class Americans and illegal aliens while pointing out a housing shortage exacerbated by this influx.

"We cannot afford four more years of a chaotic border under the Biden-Harris Administration and its costs to the American people’s physical and financial security," Grothman concluded.