WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho) joined Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) today in introducing a package of four pieces of legislation aimed at sealing and securing the southern border, cracking down on asylum abuse, keeping American communities and families safe, and ultimately ending the ongoing border crisis.

“Four and a half million illegal immigrants, more than double the population of Idaho, have been encountered at the southern border since President Biden took office. This record breaking number fails to account for the gotaways, illicit drugs, and human smuggling that has also poured into communities across the country. President Biden’s southern border is a drug crisis, a humanitarian crisis, and a national security crisis. It’s time to reverse course and secure the border by building the wall, reinstating the ‘Remain in Mexico’ policy, and ending ‘catch and release,’” said Senator Risch.

“There is an unprecedented humanitarian and national security crisis at our southern border,” said Senator Britt. “This is a direct, avoidable result of the Biden Administration’s dangerously weak policies. Hardworking parents across our nation want their children to grow up in safe, strong communities, so that they can reach their full potential and live their American Dream. This legislation would help secure that dream for families in every corner of our country.”

Risch and Britt introduced the following legislation to combat the crisis at the southern border:

• A resolution acknowledging a crisis at the southern border;
• The Keep Our Communities Safe Act, which would close the Obama-Biden era “catch and release” policy that allows the federal government to release illegal immigrants into the U.S. after being detained for six months;
• The Asylum Abuse Reduction Act, which would codify the Remain in Mexico policy that requires asylum seekers to stay outside of the U.S. while their claim is being considered; and
• The WALL Act, which would pay for the completion of the border wall with the funds currently going towards the entitlement benefits and tax credits for illegal immigrants.

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