"In South and West Texas, we know the dangers of the border crisis all too well. Republicans are focused on passing the End the Border Catastrophe Act this week."
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN, Texas – (WASHINGTON, D.C.) — As Congress considers a new border security package this week, Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23) proposed several additions to the legislation.
“9.5 million illegal immigrants have been encountered at our borders, and over 2 million illegal immigrants are currently living in Texas. In South and West Texas, we know the dangers of the border crisis all too well. Republicans are focused on passing the End the Border Catastrophe Act this week. Every Member of Congress has the opportunity to submit amendments to this legislation—I’m focused on adding common-sense provisions to this bill that will safeguard our homeland, give local law enforcement the tools they need to assist Border Patrol, and stop the flow of illegal immigrants from coming into South and West Texas,” said Congressman Tony Gonzales.
Congressman Gonzales submitted the following amendments to H.R. 3602 - the End the Border Catastrophe Act:
- Designate drug cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations
- Increase funding for law enforcement in border states
- Congressman Gonzales’ provision would allocate more funding towards Operation Stonegarden (Total amount: $120 million)
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- Operation Stonegarden is a federal grant program that provides funding to local and state law enforcement agencies to partner with Border Patrol against human and drug smuggling and border security enforcement
- End policies that have led to mass migrant releases in American communities
- Raise the criminal penalty on individuals who distribute fentanyl that results in death (such a crime would be considered a felony murder charge)
- Reimburse local communities for costs associated with detaining illegal immigrants
Congressman Gonzales represents the largest border district in the U.S. House of Representatives. Texas' 23rd Congressional District spans 823 miles of the Texas-Mexico border and includes Eagle Pass, Del Rio, and El Paso.
