05/20/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/20/2026 15:47
"Democrats are willing to sacrifice the safety and security of the American people to illegal immigrant criminals. That is why Republicans will fully fund law enforcement without a single Democrat vote. Republicans will pass the Secure America Act."
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) today spoke about the Secure America Act, which fully funds Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol after months of Democrat obstruction.
Click HERE to watch Senator Barrasso's remarks.
Sen. Barrasso's remarks as prepared:
"I have a simple message to the dedicated men and women of ICE and Border Patrol: Help is on the way.
"You spent the last five months guarding our borders and protecting our communities. You were defunded by Democrats. You were demonized by members of the media. Your homes and families were threatened by radical activists.
"Courageously, you carried out your mission. You do it with patriotism, professionalism, and resolve. Your commitment makes America safer. Republicans are fighting to send you the support you need as you continue to do your duty.
"For the first time in four years, the United States has a secure border. Under Joe Biden and the Democrats, ten million illegal immigrants flooded into our country. Democrats' catch and release policies turned every state into a border state.
"Today, under Republicans, catch and release has been replaced with detain and deport. Zero illegal immigrants have entered our country in the past year. Hundreds of illegal immigrant criminals are being removed each and every week.
"In just two weeks last month, officers in Houston arrested 277 illegal immigrant criminals - criminals who have been convicted of a total of 751 criminal offenses. This isn't an innocent group of people. It is convicted murderers. It is child abusers. It is drug dealers. It is violent gang members. And this is just in one city.
"Let me state the obvious. Illegal immigrant criminals do not make our country safer. They make our communities more dangerous.
"Republicans want to uphold the law. We want to continue to remove illegal immigrant criminals from our communities. President Trump has made significant progress making communities safer. Republicans will protect this progress and keep it going into the future.
"That is what this week is all about. Senate Republicans have introduced legislation to fully fund the men and women of immigration enforcement. It is called the Secure America Act.
"The Secure America Act fully funds Immigration and Customs Enforcement. It fully funds U.S. Border Patrol. It funds them not for one year, not for two years, but for three full years. It guarantees full funding for ICE and Border Patrol for the entire presidency of President Trump. This is an urgent priority.
"Since January, Democrats have blocked critical funding for ICE. They have blocked critical funding for Border Patrol. Democrats continue to try to defund law enforcement in America at this very moment. Democrats do not respect law enforcement, will not honor their sacrifice, and refuse to fund them.
"Today's Democrat Party is more interested in protecting illegal immigrant criminals than they are protecting law-abiding American citizens. Today's Democrat Party belongs to the radicals who want to Abolish ICE and return to open borders.
"Democrats are willing to sacrifice the safety and security of the American people to illegal immigrant criminals. That is why Republicans will fully fund law enforcement without a single Democrat vote.
"Republicans will pass the Secure America Act. This is a choice between safe communities and open borders. This is about protecting law-abiding American citizens."
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