Sen. Cruz: Texas Is Committed to Protecting and Defending the Lives at Stake as a Result of the Crisis at Our Southern Border

HOUSTON, Texas - U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) issued the following statement in response to Governor Greg Abbott's (R-Texas) decision to deploy 1,000 troops from the Texas National Guard to the Texas-Mexico border:

"The security and humanitarian crisis at our southern border is one that Texas faces firsthand, and it only continues to escalate because Democrats have refused to prioritize the safety and security of Americans," Sen. Cruz said. "In the past few months we have seen an astonishing number of apprehensions at our border, which has overwhelmed Texas communities and depleted their resources. In May, the Border Patrol apprehended over 144,000 individuals - and if that pace continues, we're looking at nearly two million apprehensions in a single year. The Democrats have claimed they are willing to negotiate in good faith to secure the border, but that has yet to be proven true. I am grateful for Governor Abbott's decision to send 1,000 troops from the Texas National Guard. It is long past time for Congress to act. We need real border security, including physical barriers to stop drug traffickers and human traffickers. We must enforce the laws currently on the books, and support the brave men and women of the CBP with all the resources they need to effectively secure our border. Additionally, Congress should work to pass legislation closing loopholes in our asylum system, increasing the number of immigration judges, and providing expedited processing for asylum claims-so that those who do not qualify for asylum can be quickly returned to their home countries rather than being released into the United States. I will continue to lead the fight to secure the border and get the job done, and urge my Democratic colleagues to join in that effort."

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