Today, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer met with President Obama to discuss the federal government’s failure to secure America’s borders. Congressman Tom Price (R-GA) issued the following statement urging the President to make border security a top priority and stop criticizing Arizona’s recently enacted law which mimics a longstanding federal statute regarding illegal immigration.

“Washington’s failure through both Democrat and Republican administrations to secure our borders and enforce our immigration laws is both disgraceful and dangerous,” said Congressman Price. “This policy of negligence is an open invitation for drug cartels, weapons smugglers, human traffickers, illegal immigrants, and foreign terrorists to enter the United States at will. And this incredible abdication of responsibility must end now. No one will respect America’s borders and laws until we respect them ourselves.

“Preventing the violations of American sovereignty so common along our southern border is part of President Obama’s job. He should have praised Arizona’s attempt to enforce the law and protect its citizens. Instead, the President and his closest advisors attacked the Arizona law without even reading it first.

“Surely, President Obama must see that Arizona’s actions become unnecessary as soon as senior officials under his control begin to vigorously enforce longstanding federal laws. States have no choice but to pick up the slack when Washington refuses to fulfill its obligations. With violence, drugs, and people illegally entering the United States every single day, there is no excuse for further delay. I urge the President in the strongest possible terms to do everything in his power to secure our border and enforce our laws.”