Press Releases

WASHINGTON, DC— Today, Rep. Jodey C. Arrington (TX-19) led 25 of his House Colleagues in introducing the Protect Communities from a Porous Border Act. This legislation keeps Americans safe by preventing dangerous criminals from being released into the U.S. by requiring the cross-referencing of domestic and international criminal databases, requiring the federal government to notify the governor of a state before releasing illegal immigrants into their communities, empowering local leaders to consult with the governor on whether to accept or reject illegal immigrants, and giving governors the ultimate authority to reject illegal immigrants from being released into their states.

“Since January, this administration created an unprecedented, unmitigated crisis at our southern border by repealing every effective measure put in place by President Trump to secure our border,” said Rep. Arrington. “As I’ve said many times, states don’t have to be passive victims of a failed federal government. The Protect Communities from a Porous Border Act empowers our governors and local elected leaders to decide whether their communities want to absorb the financial burden, health risks, and criminal activity associated with the flood of illegal immigrants through our southern border.” 

Original cosponsors of the Protect Communities From a Porous Border Act include: Rep. Brian Babin (TX-36), Rep. Elise Stefanik (NY-21), Rep. Jim Banks (IN-03), Rep. Mike Johnson (LA-04), Rep. Bob Gibbs (OH-07), Rep. Tom Tiffany (WI-07), Rep. Matt Rosendale (MT-At-Large), Rep. Louie Gohmert (TX-01), Rep. Jody Hice(GA-10), Rep. Debbie Lesko (AZ-08), Rep. Ronny Jackson (TX-13), Rep. Jake Ellzey (TX-06), Rep. Tracey Mann (KS-01), Rep. Pete Sessions (TX-17), Rep. Randy Weber (TX-14), Rep. Michael Cloud (TX-27), Rep. Madison Cawthorn (NC-11), Rep. Ralph Norman (SC-05), Rep. Mary Miller (IL-15), Rep. Scott Perry (PA-10), Rep. Bill Posey (FL-08), Rep. Lance Gooden (TX-05), Rep. John Joyce (PA-13), Rep. Troy Balderson (OH-12), and Rep. Beth Van Duyne (TX-24). 

Here’s what others are saying about the Protect Communities From A Porous Border Act: 

“Local jurisdictions should receive fair notice of pending immigrant arrivals from federal programs and agencies in order to ensure the best possible preparation and outcome for these individuals and the receiving community. Local jurisdictions know their communities best, and clear communication with officials on the state and local level can only help improve our nation’s immigration system.” – Anthony Williams, Mayor of Abilene

“No state or local municipality should be forced to suffer the consequences of President Biden’s self-made border crisis. However, even while forcing unlawful vaccine mandates on Americans as part of his plan to prevent the spread of COVID in the U.S., the President has deemed it appropriate for his administration to continually relocate illegal immigrants, many of whom are COVID positive, to non-border states—oftentimes without the consent or knowledge of those state governments. With this in mind, we applaud Rep. Arrington for introducing common sense legislation that would empower state and local officials to have a say in whether or not their communities want to import the crisis occurring at the southern border into their own jurisdictions.” – Garrett Bess, Vice President of Heritage Action

“Congressman Arrington’s Protect Communities from a Porous Border Act is a common-sense bill that empowers local communities at a time when the Biden administration has eviscerated all forms of immigration enforcement. This bill will prevent localities from being overwhelmed by the Biden administration’s disastrous catch-and-release policies, and I applaud Congressman Arrington for his leadership on this issue.” – RJ Hauman, Government Relations Director of the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR)

“NumbersUSA applauds Congressman Arrington for his effort to give States and localities the power to stop this lawless administration from dumping illegal aliens into their communities. Localities that already face significant health care, shelter, education, and other shortages simply cannot afford to have hundreds, or even thousands, of illegal aliens dropped in their communities by an administration that doesn’t have to suffer the consequences of their reckless decisions. The fact that many of the illegal aliens have COVID makes the administration’s actions especially dangerous to American communities. It is absolutely critical that State and local officials have the ability to say “No.” The Protect Communities from a Porous Border Act of 2021 would give them that power.” – Rosemary Jenks, Government Relations Director for NumbersUSA 

Earlier this year, Rep. Arrington introduced H.J.Res. 50, a resolution that affirms Article I Section 10 of the U.S. Constitution, which recognizes states’ sovereign power to defend themselves against invasion.

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Congressman Jodey Arrington is a member of the U.S. House of Representatives serving the Nineteenth Congressional District of Texas. He serves as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee.