North Charlotte Today

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Thom Tillis and his colleagues have expressed serious concern over the recent decision by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to suspend rail commerce at the Southern border in order to process migrants. In a letter addressed to DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, the senators demanded the Biden Administration to re-open railway commerce and implement effective policies to address the increasing flow of illegal immigration.

The senators highlighted the impact of the suspension on the movement of goods across the North American rail network and the reliance of North American consumers on these international railway crossings. They pointed out that the closure of the rail ports of entry at Eagle Pass and El Paso directly affects the trade partnership between the United States and Mexico, which accounted for $33.95 billion or 35.8% of all cross-border rail traffic to and from Mexico in the last year.

"The success of our trade partnership with Mexico relies on the successful operation of these international railway crossings," the senators stated. They emphasized that without proper policies in place to address the increasing flow of illegal immigration, the national security and economy of the United States would continue to be negatively impacted.

The senators called attention to the unprecedented crisis at the southern border, describing it as the worst in the country's history. They emphasized the need for smarter and effective policies to address the substantial challenges that currently exist. "Redirecting a small group of CBP personnel away from these rail entries will not do anything to get us closer to a solution," the senators asserted.

In conclusion, the senators urged Secretary Mayorkas to re-open the rail ports of entry at Eagle Pass and El Paso, Texas. They also called on the Administration to take the humanitarian, security, and economic crisis seriously and engage with Congress to enact real policy change that would effectively halt the flow of illegal migration.

The full letter can be accessed [HERE](link).

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To learn more, click on this link: https://www.tillis.senate.gov/2023/12/tillis-colleagues-slam-dhs-decision-to-suspend-rail-commerce-at-border-to-process-more-migrants