Fond Du Lac Times

Glenn Grothman, a Representative from Wisconsin and the Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Security, the Border, and Foreign Affairs, addressed the ongoing border situation and the repercussions of unlawful immigration during a recent hearing. He highlighted the shortcomings of the Biden Administration's border policies and pointed out the absence of Democratic representatives at such hearings.

"The border patrol apprehended over 40,000 illegal immigrants in the month of July alone," Grothman said in a press release. "That's the highest it's been in 15 years. Even though not all of us are representing southwest border states, this illegal immigration impacts every community in the United States. "

In May, the expiration of Title 42, a measure implemented during the COVID pandemic to curb border crossings, led to its replacement by Title 8, the preexisting border control policy. Title 8 subjects those who cross illegally to fines of up to $250 and imprisonment for six months to two years per attempt. 

It also introduces provisions such as requiring border crossers to schedule appointments for asylum applications, welcoming up to 30,000 individuals from Haiti, Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Cuba each month with U.S. sponsors, expediting processing, deploying up to 1,500 active-duty military personnel to assist Border Patrol, expanding migrant holding centers, establishing processing centers in other countries for legal crossings, and more, according to NBC News.

Despite the enforcement of Title 8, dissatisfaction abounds over the current border situation as lawmakers consistently voice concerns about inadequate border control and an escalating crisis. Just this week, Border Patrol agents reportedly resorted to using pepper balls against a group of migrants in El Paso, Texas, who persistently attempted to enter the United States by force, according to Border Report.

Currently, in Tucson, Arizona, the daily influx of migrants has surged to around 1,900, marking a staggering 134% increase from June's average of 812. This includes the presence of substantial groups, raising officials' apprehensions about the potential involvement of smugglers, according to CBS News.

"As we predicted, numbers have skyrocketed," wrote Border Patrol Union on the X platform. "We're at 6k arrests & 1k known escapes daily. Where is Biden's MSM? Breathless coverage of the temporary "drop" from historic highs that went on for 2+ years & now they've disappeared. A modern master class on how propagandism works."