GOP will push border control policies

 Washington Examiner:

Top House Republicans debuted a comprehensive plan to regain control of the southern border that they would seek to implement if conservatives retake the House or Senate this November.

The American Security Task Force on Friday pledged to take action on a plethora of immigration and border policies they said would alleviate the record-high illegal immigrant apprehensions at the U.S.-Mexico border that has unfolded under the Biden administration.

"I think we're going to be very aggressive, and I think the administration will have some choices to make," Rep. John Katko (R-NY), who led the task force, told Fox News. "Do they want to spin their wheels for two years and get nothing done, or do they want to work with Republicans if the Republicans are in the majority and start doing some of the things that Republicans want?"

The Republican plan pulls from previous initiatives used by the Trump administration and is meant to address the state of the border before conceding to the Democrats' demands on providing solutions for people living in the country illegally.

The proposal touts the need for a physical barrier, infrastructure, and technology on the 2,000-mile southern border. Although the Trump administration funded 800 miles of border wall projects, it completed just over 450 miles, and many were replacement fencing. The influx of illegal immigrants crossing the border is one indicator that the addition of border wall has not prevented people from coming into the United States.

Republicans want to bolster staffing levels at U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the 60,000-person federal agency tasked with inspecting vehicles and apprehending people attempting to enter the U.S. illegally.

The plan also calls for the clearing of tall grass known as carrizo cane that grows along hundreds of miles of the Rio Grande in Texas and makes it difficult for Border Patrol agents to see and walk through.

"If you're not securing the border, all this talk about immigration reform is superfluous," Katko said. "We have to secure the border first and then have the more difficult discussions about immigration reform, which we must have."

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They would also reimpose Trump policies which worked to reduce illegal immigration.  The Democrats' open border policy is very unpopular with voters.  The Republicans need to condemn the Democrats' lawless response.