Texas Republicans tell White House - we DO have a plan for border: GOP unveils security strategy

The Texas Republican delegation in the House unveiled a new border security proposal to push back on White House assertions that the GOP has no 'plan' to fix the southern border. 

The framework, which is made up of both legislation their delegation has already introduced and new proposals as Republicans prepare to take the House, is split up into four categories: completing the border wall, fixing border enforcement policies, enforcing laws in the interior, and targeting cartels. 

Over the past few weeks the White House has essentially taunted Republicans by repeatedly claiming they had 'no plan' and only 'political stunts' when it comes to the southern border. 

'You see a united team behind you that is fed up with the undeclared war against Americans,' ex-Navy fighter pilot Rep. Jake Ellzey said in a news conference Thursday morning. 'Last year alone we lost 105,000 Americans to overdose, two thirds of those two thirds of that is from fentanyl. That number is 287 every day. If this were a war that was declared, we would be losing it.' 

'This is the cartels have brought every they are making more money trafficking in human beings than they are on drugs. They're responsible for this entire crisis. This time we declared them a clear and present danger to the national security the United States.'

Former President Trump put up about 458 miles of wall along the 2,000-mile U.S.-Mexico border before the Biden administration stopped construction.  Texas Republicans also want to build 700 miles of roads along the border and bolster recruitment for Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers by offering better pay and bonuses. 

'We're stepping up today in anticipation of our Republican majority and saying every power - from the purse, to investigation, and if and when appropriate, impeachment, so that we can get our colleagues in Washington to have the same sense of urgency that are built in Texas,' said Rep. Jodey Arrington

Mexico-born outgoing Rep. Mayra Flores claimed Democrats had had the opportunity to give citizenship to DACA recipients, known as Dreamers, but instead used Hispanics as pawns

The Republican plan calls to reinstate the Migrant Protection Protocols undone by President Biden to ensure that anyone who cannot be detained until their asylum proceeding is turned away, essentially ending 'catch-and-release.' 

The GOP plan also calls for reforming 'credible fear' and asylum policies to eliminate 'fraud.' It would establish up to 10 years' jail time for lying about a credible fear on an asylum application and tighten the standard for what counts as such. 

Those who come to the border and claim asylum must first claim they have a credible fear of being turned away. If an asylum officer determines their fear to be legitimate, they are released into the U.S. and told to return for a court date, which is often years down the line. 

In a portion sure to draw controversy, Republicans also want to 'defund' any NGOs or other organizations that they say encourage the violation of border security. The proposal then calls for ending loosened enforcement of ICE policy and put limits on the prosecutorial discretion DHS uses to release immigrants into the interior. 

The framework then calls for designating cartels as terrorist groups and increasing penalties for human and drug trafficking. 

The Texas Republicans also pushed back on the White House's assertion that they have 'no plan' to deal with the border.

'They had the nerve to call situations like this or when we go visit the border they call them political stunts. They said the other day the Republicans have no plan. They just want political stunts. We have a plan. We have a very detailed plan,' said Rep. Dan Crenshaw. 

The U.S. saw a record 2.7 million migrant encounters in fiscal year 2022. That figure includes those who attempted to cross multiple times.  

While the Republican outline addressed border security, it did not include any immigration reform proposals. It's unlikely that a deal without immigration reform could make it through a Democrat-led Senate. 

In the Senate Republican Thom Tillis and Democrat Kyrsten Sinema are working on a bipartisan proposal that would offer a pathway to citizenship for DACA recipients in exchange for tightened border enforcement and sped-up asylum processing and an extension of Title 42, which is set to end Dec. 21. 

The deal is a long-shot, and would need to be passed before Republicans take control of the House as many have said they will not vote for reform until they deem the border 'secure.' 

Without Title 42, border agents are preparing to see up to 18,000 migrant encounters per day. Border officials have previously said their resources are exhausted when they encounter 5,000 migrants per day. 

Migrants, mostly from Nicaragua, board a bus to go to their destination after being released from U.S. Border Patrol custody in El Paso, Texas, U.S., December 5

The Dec. 21 deadline for the Covid-era policy that allows for the immediate expulsion of migrants is still in flux, as a dozen Republican states have asked a judge to let them defend the policy in court. 

Asked about the Senate proposal Texas Republicans acknowledged the need for immigration reform but refused to commit to including any reform in a border security bill. 

Mexico-born outgoing Rep. Mayra Flores claimed Democrats had had the opportunity to give citizenship to DACA recipients, known as Dreamers, but instead used Hispanics as pawns. 

'You've had an opportunity to do something about DACA and you've done nothing. You made the border worse. Why they haven't done anything? They have the president, they're in the majority.' 

The fiery South Texas Republican added: 'They're using this issue. Stop using us to get our vote. And then you toss us aside. That's exactly what the Democrat Party has been doing. They only remember about us and the issues that we care during the election. They're on their way out.' 

'We know we need to deal with immigration issues,' added Roy. 'But we need to secure the border right now for the reasons that everybody just articulated. And we need to get y'all to get your head wrapped around that.' 

The Republicans also called on DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to resign and promised to call him in for testimony in the majority, and hinted at the potential for impeachment.   

'We're stepping up today in anticipation of our Republican majority and saying every power - from the purse, to investigation, and if and when appropriate, impeachment, so that we can get our colleagues in Washington to have the same sense of urgency that are built in Texas,' said Rep. Jodey Arrington.