POSSE will help solve our border problems

             Randy Weber

Washington watch with Randy Weber

US congressman Randy Weber writes exclusively in The Post about issues involving his work as part of our nation’s government

Our nation’s southern border has been left understaffed and under-protected for far too long. In June alone, there were 34,463 recorded illegal attempts to cross the United States-Mexico border.
It is congress’ responsibility to ensure our borders are protected from any existing threats. In order to address this pressing concern, I have introduced house resolution 5905,
a bill known as the Protect Our Southwestern States Enforcement act, or POSSE.
The POSSE act will direct the US customs and border patrol department to keep every border patrol station open and fully staffed to effectively halt the flow of illegal aliens and combat the crime associated with our current lack of border security.
In addition, the legislation will require the completion of double-layer fencing along the entire southwestern border. Statistics have shown that double-layered fencing has proven to be extremely effective in preventing unauthorized immigration in the 36 miles where it is implemented along the US-Mexico border.
Currently, our border has numerous gaps that have allowed illegal immigrants and potential terrorists to easily cross into the United States from Mexico. That is unacceptable. Our nation’s security is my top priority.
Local law-enforcement agencies in southern states are overwhelmed with the problems caused by our lack of border security. The human trafficking and narcotics from Latin America cannot be effectively combatted by state and local police departments as they do not possess the necessary resources or manpower.
Roughly, 17,000 humans are trafficked and millions of dollars in illegal drugs are smuggled across the border each year. My legislation will ensure that CBP keeps border patrol stations open and fully staffed in the nine southwestern sectors listed in the bill and that no stations are closed in the future in any of the southwestern border sectors.
Unfortunately, if congress does not act, no one will. We have an administration who will not address the security gaps the CBP is facing.
We have an influx of illegal immigrants crossing our border because there is no accountability from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador.
Earlier this year, I introduced the Illegal Entry Accountability act, which would hold Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador accountable for illegal immigration by immediately suspending US foreign aid to these central-American nations until congress determines that they have taken sufficient action to mitigate unlawful US-Mexico border crossings by their respective citizens.
In this age of terrorism, we cannot take any risks with our border security. It is our duty as lawmakers to be vigilant and place the security of the American people at the forefront of our legislative agenda.
I am pleased to have the support of 10 of my fellow colleagues with their co-sponsorships and I am also pleased that the POSSE act has garnered the support of The Federation For American Immigration Reform and National Border Patrol Council. This legislation will put Americans first by restoring common sense border security on our southern border.
Randy Weber is the US representative for the 14th district of Texas, which covers Brazoria, Galveston and Jefferson counties.