[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 200 (Wednesday, November 17, 2021)]
[House]
[Page H6321]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          BIDEN'S BORDER CRISIS IS ADDING TO THE COVID CRISIS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Tennessee (Mr. Rose) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. ROSE. Mr. Speaker, 10 months into the Biden administration and 
crisis defines this Presidency.
  Since President Biden took office, we have faced crisis after crisis, 
not the least of which is at our southern border. Right now, the United 
States is experiencing the highest number of attempted illegal border 
crossings in 21 years. Some 1.7 million people were apprehended 
attempting to enter the U.S. illegally in fiscal year 2021, ending 
September 30, which is a new record. Over 164,300 attempted to cross 
just in October. This is 128 percent increase from last October.
  Since March 20, 95,000 illegal immigrants were released with notices 
to report on their honor. President Biden recently announced a hotly 
debated approach to limiting the spread of COVID-19, mandating 
vaccinations for Federal workers, Federal contract workers, healthcare 
workers, and anyone who works for a private business with over 100 
employees. But take a guess as to who is not included in this wide-
spread vaccine mandate--illegal immigrants.
  While President Biden blames American citizens for the increase in 
COVID cases, he refuses to call out the record number of illegal 
immigrants entering the United States from COVID hotspots around the 
world who are potentially contributing to the spread of new and 
dangerous variants of the virus, like the delta, lambda, and mu 
strains.
  On September 20, when White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki was asked 
about this double standard, she is quoted as saying, illegal immigrants 
didn't need to comply because ``they are not intending to stay.'' What 
a laughable statement.
  Once again, we are seeing the Biden administration choosing to put 
the interests of illegal immigrants above the interests of the American 
people. Why is President Biden allowing this ever-growing burden on the 
already strained resources of this country to continue unabated?
  Our southern border is an ongoing, full-blown catastrophe and it 
should be treated as one. That is why I am calling on President Biden 
to finally address this historic disaster of his own making and at 
least make a good-faith effort to stem the flow of illegal immigration, 
dangerous illicit drugs, and human trafficking in this country. And 
while he is at it, to implement stricter, more comprehensive and more 
effective COVID protections at our southern border.

                          ____________________