WASHINGTON, DC . . . America’s southern border states have recently suffered a surge of over 52,000 unaccompanied children, teenagers, and families from Central America who are attempting to illegally immigrate. In response to the ongoing border crisis, Rep. Ralph Hall (TX-04)released the following statement:

“The crisis at the border largely rests on President Obama’s shoulders due to his passive stance on border security. It has been widely reported that parents in Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador are sending their children across the border because U.S. law is not enforced. This lax enforcement has incentivized many to make the dangerous trek from Central America during which they face extreme heat exposure, threats of sexual molestation, and violence at the hands of drug cartels and others involved in the smuggling. Not only are lives endangered due to lack of U.S. border security, but the flood of Central Americans attempting to enter the U.S. illegally is putting severe stress on border communities. That is why I am proud to support Governor Perry’s diligent efforts to address this crisis and get the President involved.

“To protect America’s border communities, we must promptly remove incentives for future illegal immigrants by quickly returning these unaccompanied children home. America should then cut off all foreign aid to Central America until these countries begin to work with the U.S. to address the issue. It is also vital that the President begin to actively enforce current law and work to strengthen border security. This crisis cannot be solved by another blank check, as the President has requested.”

“I will continue to support Governor Perry and monitor the ongoing border crisis that is directly impacting Texans, and I will actively represent the views of my constituents.”

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