Washington, DC - Rep. Pete Olson (TX-22) today joined with Republican members of the Texas delegation to call on the President to enforce existing immigration laws to end the crisis on our Southern border. In a letter sent to the President, Texas Republicans asked that he suspend efforts to issue new Executive Orders, end the catch-and-release policy, improve cooperation with local law enforcement agencies, not tolerate immigration fraud and expedite the processing and removal of illegal immigrants.

"On a recent visit to McAllen, I saw firsthand the effects of this border crisis on Texas,” said Rep. Pete Olson.“President Obama has lost control of our Southern border. He continues to issue Executive Orders outside his authority and refuses to enforce existing laws in order to pressure Congress to act. As a result, 90,000 unaccompanied Central American youths are expected to make the perilous journey through Mexico, with the help of drug cartels, and cross our Southern border illegally by this year’s end. 

"In addition to the Unaccompanied Alien Children, an unsecured border also brings drug cartel criminals and thugs who commit violent crimes and endanger the lives of innocent Americans.According to Governor Rick Perry's office, since 2008, more than 203,000 criminal aliens have been booked into Texas county jails. This is the harsh reality of a nation without border security.The consequences of the President’s failures directly impacts Texas. He can end this crisis by simply enforcing current immigration laws.

"While we wait for the President to lead and secure our borders, I’ve introduced H.R. 5138 ‘Our Communities, Our Choice,’ to give local communities a voice in the decision making process on where to host the Unaccompanied Alien Children (UACs). Every community should have a choice about whether or not they can take on this costly endeavor. The communities that are directly impacted deserve to have a role in the decision making process instead of being managed by the federal government.” 

Click here to read to the letter.

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