WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-OH), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, issued the following statement after U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) released operational statistics showing that fentanyl seizures tripled in one month and with two months left in the fiscal year, 2022 has already had more border encounters than last year and any year on record which makes it clear that this administration must take action to address the border crisis:
“The July CBP operational statistics show that the surge in illicit narcotics coming over our border also continues to endanger families in Ohio and throughout the country with fentanyl seizures tripling in the last month. This is only the fentanyl that is being seized as the vast majority is getting through undetected according to the DEA.
“Even more alarming, with two months left in fiscal year 2022, this administration’s border crisis has already broken fiscal year 2021’s record number of border encounters in one year. The July CBP numbers show more than 199,900 total encounters at the border. The first two years of the Biden administration have been the highest two years of unlawful migration in our nation’s history. It’s clear that this administration’s failed policies are encouraging unlawful migration. The July CBP numbers also included more than 52,000 migrant family members; more than 134,000 single adult migrants; and more than 13,200 unaccompanied children.
“As I have told the administration countless times, this is no time to end policies like Remain in Mexico or Title 42 that deter smugglers and migrants. The lack of responsible border policies by this administration is allowing Mexican transnational criminal organizations to push deadly substances into communities in Ohio and traffic unlawful migrants into the country. This administration must take action to end their border crisis to ensure the safety and security of all Americans.”
