1. Border Trip to Eagle Pass, Texas. 2. Looking Ahead to 2024. 3. Weekly Roundup. 4. My Contact Information. |
This week, I traveled alongside Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and my fellow House GOP colleagues to Eagle Pass, Texas, for a firsthand look at the border crisis. During this trip, I had the privilege of speaking with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents, local law enforcement, and community members about the tremendous challenges they face as a result of President Biden's open-border policies.
Despite the best efforts of our hardworking Border Patrol agents and local law enforcement agencies to secure our Southern border, illegal immigration is still at all-time highs. In December, over 300,000 illegal immigrants reportedly crossed the border, marking the highest one-month total in our nation's history. This record-breaking number of illegal immigrants is roughly equivalent to the combined population of Grafton, Cedarburg, Beaver Dam, Menasha, Mequon, Neenah, Fond du Lac, Sheboygan, Manitowoc, and Oshkosh combined. In addition to the apprehended illegal immigrants, an estimated 70,000 "got-aways" dodged Border Patrol altogether.
This unprecedented rate of illegal immigration is unsustainable because, aside from criminals and bad actors having the green light to walk into America, the increased strain placed on our communities is unbearable, including here in Wisconsin. Recently, 1,000 migrants arrived in Whitewater, and this small town was not prepared for the sudden increase in population, which is draining municipal services. In response, the Whitewater Chief of Police sent a letter to President Biden stating, “their arrival has put great strains on our existing resources."
The root of the problem is that, currently, the means to bypass our immigration system without identification or a sufficient background check is far too straightforward and well-known across the globe. Border Patrol agents emphasized to me that it is not solely immigrants from Mexico and Central America illegally crossing our border. During the month of December in Eagle Pass alone, illegal immigrants were encountered from 61 different countries. |
Click the image above to watch my full report from Eagle Pass |
Last year, the House of Representatives took action by passing the Secure the Border Act, which contained a number of provisions to restore the rule of law along the border, combat illegal immigration, and make our communities safer. Until President Biden becomes serious and works with Congress to support Border Patrol and revive border security, there is little reason to believe this crisis will not continue to escalate.
Following my trip to Eagle Pass, I want to hear from you on the surge in illegal immigration we've seen under the Biden Administration. |
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Do you believe President Biden should prioritize securing our border?
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As the House of Representatives gets back to work in 2024, I will continue to bring our Wisconsin values and common-sense solutions to Washington to work in a bipartisan manner to make the Sixth District, Wisconsin, and the whole country a better place to live. I am committed to working on your behalf to rein in spending, enact border security, expand career opportunities for individuals with disabilities, and preserve the safety and security of you and your family. |
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As always, my offices are here to help you with federal agencies, schedule tours, and purchase flags. Throughout 2024, please don’t hesitate to call my office in Fond du Lac or Washington, DC or send me an email if you need my assistance. |
Because I traveled to Eagle Pass this week, I was unable to attend various events throughout the Sixth District. Many of the photos below are from events in December that I didn’t get to share with you earlier.
During the Christmas season, it was an absolute joy to spread the holiday cheer with Santa at the Winneconne Celebration of Lights! |
In December, I took a trip to the Boys and Girls Club of Oshkosh and received an update on the progress of their renovation to the facility. This facility is critical to keeping our youth active and healthy. |
I was glad to visit the new “Fab Lab” in Omro High School, which was designed to engage students in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics and help prepare them for career utilizing advanced technologies. |
It was great meeting with Al Labelle and Wisconsin's Disabled American Veterans over coffee in Oshkosh. I look forward to continuing my efforts to help veterans in Wisconsin and across the country. |
As your Congressman, I’m here to serve you. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to reach out to my offices in Fond du Lac and Washington. If you enjoyed this newsletter, be sure to forward it to your family and friends so they can stay informed on what I’m doing in Washington and the Sixth District, and let them know that they can subscribe by clicking here.
You can also stay up-to-the-minute by following me on Facebook (Congressman Glenn Grothman), Twitter (@RepGrothman) and Instagram (@RepGlennGrothman). |
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Sincerely,
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Glenn Grothman
Member of Congress
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