When was the last time that the mainstream media dedicated a large portion of time to covering the catastrophe at the southern border? It is one of the most pressing issues that we are facing in America, and yet, it is not getting the coverage it so deserves. You deserve to know how abysmal things have become, and what this administration does not want to openly admit. As I always do, I’m going to break down the details so that you know the facts behind this administration’s border catastrophe.

According to new U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) data, the circumstances at the southern border have taken a drastic turn. Illegal immigrant encounters at the southern border in February were up 7% when compared to January. If you look at the previous year, those encounters are up a shocking 63%. Did you know it was this bad?

Let’s talk about policy, and how this administration and Washington Democrats are threatening to outright eliminate Title 42 that was implemented under President Trump – a policy that allowed for the quick expulsion of illegal immigrants from the United States. Without a doubt, this policy is our strongest tool to deter the flow of illegal immigrants into our country. To eliminate it is to weaken our national security irreparably. For context, in February alone, over half of the total encounters at the southern border were processed for expulsion under Title 42.

Unfortunately, there’s more. Last month, there was a total of 164,973 migrant encounters – the equivalent of almost one fourth of the 5^th District crossing the southern border. In over two decades, this February was the worst on record, and 30% of those encountered on the border last month were repeat offenders. This is troubling news for everyone.

Amid all the catastrophes that this administration has caused, the southern border remains the one of the most pressing. Border security is national security, and if this issue continues to be pushed to the back burner, there will be dire consequences. I’ll continue fighting in Washington to hold this administration accountable, and to call attention to the facts that the American people deserve to know.

The Public Transportation Mask Mandate

On March 10^th, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced an extension of the federal mask mandate on public transportation to April 18^th. This absurdity comes as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that 98% of the population in the United States lives in an area where the CDC advises that indoor masking is not a necessary or preventative measure. It’s high time that our nation’s transportation system returns to normal. To that end, I’ve signed onto a letter led by Representative Sam Graves (R-MO) and Representative Garrett Graves (R-LA) to President Biden demanding that the TSA reverse its decision to extend its mask mandate. This unnecessary burden must end now.

To read the full letter, click here.

New Scam Alert

The Seniors Center, an organization that alleges to advocate on behalf of the elderly, is a scam that has been operating in broad daylight for years. It has used deceptive marketing tactics to target seniors and rob them blind of their hard-earned money. The Seniors Center uses the false claim of “protecting Social Security benefits” to solicit donations – a common messaging tactic that can be found in its newsletters and fundraising materials. Let me be clear: this organization has no ability to protect these programs. In fact, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and numerous senior advocacy groups have issued warnings about this organization for years. If you receive newsletters or solicitation letters from The Seniors Center, throw them away immediately. Unfortunately, I know many people who have lost money to this organization, and they’ll never see a dime of it back. Below are a few tips on how to avoid these scams:

• Only donate to charities you know and trust.

• Do not give your personal or financial information to charities unless they are reputable.

• If you are uncertain about the legitimacy of a charitable organization, call your local BBB or the North Carolina Attorney General’s office for more information.

Quote of The Week

“People think of border security in very different ways, but to me, it’s very simple: border security is national security.”

-Kirstjen Nielsen

Have a blessed weekend,