Democrats’ Ransom Demand for Funding DHS: Re-Open Our Border for Criminal Illegal Aliens

WASHINGTON - In their haste to defend criminal illegal aliens, Democrats have shut down the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) - the third longest government shutdown in U.S. history - and jeopardized our national security at a time of heightened threats on our homeland. Democrats claim they are taking a stand against deportations, but their legislation tells a different story.

Following Senate Democrats' failed attempt last week, House Democrats are trying to force legislation to partially fund DHS but leave Customs and Border Protection (CBP) unfunded, conveying that they either don't understand the function of federal law enforcement agencies or they are attempting to revert to the dangerous open border policies of the Biden Administration.

"Democrats refuse to reopen TSA and FEMA and the Coast Guard and these other critical functions of government unless they can reopen our borders to illegal aliens," Speaker Johnson said this week. "CBP is the largest federal law enforcement agency. Any bill that strips its funding weakens our defenses against terrorist plots, undermines the integrity of our borders, and disrupts lawful travel through US ports of entry, including the millions of American and international travelers processed at our airports every single day."

CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION

CBP is the largest federal law enforcement agency in the U.S. with more than 60,000 active personnel. The agency is charged with securing our borders, countering terrorism, combatting transnational crime, facilitating trade, protecting intellectual property, and facilitating lawful travel through US ports of entry.

SECURING AMERICA'S BORDERS

CBP officers patrol and secure America's 6,000 miles of land borders, 2,000 miles of coastline, and all ports of entry. CBP officers prevent drug smugglers, human and child sex traffickers, weapons traffickers, and other bad actors from entering our homeland.

• In FY2025, border apprehensions hit their lowest mark in over 50 years.
• In December 2025, there were just 30,698 nationwide border encounters - 92% below the peak during the Biden Administration.
• In December 2025, there were zero parole releases into the homeland - following 7 consecutive months of zero releases - compared to the 7,041 parolees released by the Biden Administration in December 2024.

PREVENTING THE FLOW OF ILLEGAL DRUGS

CBP is the primary federal agency tasked with seizing illegal drugs before they invade American communities. CBP officers monitor ports of entry, cargo containers, vehicles, and along border checkpoints for drug smugglers seeking to poison our neighborhoods.

• In FY2025, CBP officers seized 170,000 lbs. of meth, 70,000 lbs. of cocaine, and 12,000 lbs. of fentanyl.
• Fentanyl seizures at the US-Mexico border in 2025 dropped 46% from 2024 and 57% from 2023, signaling that strong border enforcement is successfully deterring transnational criminal organizations from attempting to smuggle more drugs. Fentanyl is still the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18 to 48.
• The scale of the challenge is vast; in any given month, CBP will inspect millions of cars, trains, and ships, process tens of millions of travelers, and clear hundreds of billions of goods entering our shores.

DEFENDING AMERICAN AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES

CBP agriculture specialists are America's frontline defense against biological threats, invasive species, and foreign animal diseases that threaten farms, forests, and food supplies. Agriculture remains one of America's largest industries and employers, and protecting our natural resources and food supply is essential to maintaining national security.

• The USDA estimates that invasive species have cost over $26 billion per year in lost economic activity.
• CBP coordinates closely with the CDC, USDA, and other federal agencies to screen travelers for infectious diseases and potential bioweapons. During a shutdown, interagency communication is weakened.

ADDITIONAL CBP NATIONAL SECURITY FUNCTIONS LEFT UNFUNDED BY DEMOCRATS

• Counterterrorism and weapons of mass destruction prevention
• Intelligence, targeting, and pre-arrival screening of suspicious persons
• Combating transnational organized crime
• Aerial surveillance support for natural disasters
• Tactical threat response
• Supply chain and cargo security

REMEMBER, DEMOCRATS OPENED AMERICAN BORDERS & LET IN MILLIONS

During the Biden presidency, Democrats willfully refused to follow federal immigration law and opened American borders to millions - including murderers, rapists, and drug traffickers - from nearly every country on earth.

• From FY21 through FY24, CBP reported 10.8 million border encounters - a more than 3.5x increase from 2017-2020.
• During that same period, CBP reported approximately 2 million known "gotaways," or individuals who crossed through American borders and weren't detained.
• In 2023 alone, 169 individuals on the terrorist watchlist were apprehended attempting to enter the country, and more than 390 were apprehended during Biden's term.

BOTTOM LINE

The Democrat DHS shutdown is as foolish as it is dangerous. Democrats continue to prove - as they did at the State of the Union address - that their first duty is to criminal illegal aliens, not American citizens. And the consequences of this prolonged obstruction could be both costly and deadly.