Press Releases

WASHINGTON, DC – Last week, Congressman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) and Congressman Brian Babin (TX-36) led a Texas Congressional Delegation trip to the southern border to assess the border crisis from land, air, and sea. Members spent three days meeting with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the United States Coast Guard (USCG), the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP), and local stakeholders who have been affected by the border crisis. 

On Monday, members visited the Donna Processing Facility, were briefed by USCG, viewed the USCG maritime boundary line from USCG planes, and visited the border late at night to witness the crisis firsthand. Members were also briefed by McAllen DEA District DEA Office, toured the McAllen DEA warehouse, and viewed illicit points of entry in a DEA helicopter flyover of the Rio Grande River.

Reps. Arrington (TX-19) and Brady (TX-08) spoke with DEA Special Agent in Charge Daniel Comeaux following a briefing on how Biden’s Border Crisis is creating a health crisis as deadly, illicit drugs pour over the southern border and into Texas communities.

Rep. Arrington (TX-19) pictured with DEA Associated Special Agent in Charge Antonio Hubbard and DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Richard Sanchez.

Rep. Arrington (TX-19) with DEA Special Agent in Charge Richard Sanchez viewing illicit points of entry along the southern border.

Members viewed spots along the southern border where wall construction was halted by the Biden Administration.

Members spotted Texas Department of Public Safety patrolling the Rio Grande River as they viewed the southern border with DEA.

Reps. Arrington (TX-19), Gohmert (TX-1), Van Duyne (TX-24) and Jackson (TX-13) drove next to the Rio Grande River in Mission, Texas late night to witness migrant families cross the border and turn themselves into border patrol.

On Tuesday, members hosted a roundtable with local landowners, ranchers, and law enforcement. Rep. Arrington led a press conference at Anzalduas Park in Mission, Texas with members of the Texas Congressional Delegation, participants from the roundtable, Former Acting Commissioner of U.S. CBP Mark Morgan, and Former Acting Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Tom Homan. Members were briefed by Texas National Guard and viewed the border from McAllen to Laredo with members of the National Guard from the sky. Members also toured the Laredo Point of Entry with CBP.

Richard Guerra is a local rancher from south Texas. Mr. Guerra shared how the number of crimes perpetrated on landowners has increased exponentially over the last couple of months. Landowners told us they are finding more cut fences, destroyed property, dead bodies, and firearms than ever.

Texas National Guard briefed members on how they are assisting border patrol agents along the southern border. Members of the guard also took members on a flight from McAllen to Laredo to view the border from the sky.

Reps. Jackson (TX-13), Nehls (TX-22), Arrington (TX-19) and Weber (TX-14) were briefed by CBP agents at the Laredo Point of Entry.

CBP agents in Laredo showed members a truck they discovered attempting to smuggle marijuana into the United States.

On Wednesday, members visited the Carrizo Springs Influx Care Facility. Reps. Arrington (TX-19) and Jackson (TX-13) spoke with migrants at the Carrizo Spring Influx Care facility. These migrants, between the ages of 14 and 17, acknowledged they came to America because the Biden Administration would not turn them away.

Reps. Arrington (TX-19) and Babin (TX-13) also joined Newsmax’s ‘Rob Schmitt Tonight’ to discuss what they saw at the southern border from the bank of the Rio Grande River in Laredo, Texas. To watch the full interview, click here.