[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 203 (Monday, December 11, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S5892]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                            Border Security

  Madam President, last week, border encounters with illegal immigrants 
reached 12,000 in a single day, the first time that has ever happened 
in our Nation's history.
  This border is not closed; this border is wide open, and the cartels, 
fentanyl, and terrorists are streaming across it in record numbers--
yes, 12,000 in a day.
  In fact, 279 terrorists have been caught at the southern border since 
President Biden took office. More than 160 suspected terrorists have 
been apprehended in fiscal year 2023 alone, a number larger than the 
last 6 years combined.
  And since October, more than 6,500 Chinese nationals, 700 Afghans, 
and dozens of Iranians have also been encountered at the border. Do you 
think these people have gotten the message that the Biden 
administration has thrown down the welcome mat and said: Come on over. 
We are going to let you in. Of course, that is what they are being told 
by the cartels--of course--because we have got a DHS Secretary who does 
not stand up and secure the border. How about that? A Homeland Security 
Secretary who does not believe in securing the homeland. You can't make 
it up.
  But instead of cracking down on border security, the Biden 
administration is cracking down on American businesses, including in my 
home State of Tennessee. They are cracking down on them for ensuring 
that their employees are eligible to work in our country.
  Late last month, Biden's Justice Department fined a Chattanooga-based 
trucking company $700,000 for simply checking whether job applicants 
had permanent resident cards or their immigration documents. They want 
to see a permanent resident card. They want to see immigration 
documents.
  According to the Justice Department--you are not going to believe 
this one--according to the Justice Department, these documents are 
``unnecessary.'' Their choice of words.
  You know what, you just can't make it up. This administration 
continues to try to find ways to make illegal legal. They are 
constantly trying to circumvent the rule of law. They have got two 
tiers, two standards, two tiers of treatment, two tiers of justice, and 
it has caused massive amounts of confusion.
  So this administration believes open the border, let them run all 
over, don't document them, doesn't matter if they are a terrorist, 
doesn't matter what they are coming here for. But if you are a company 
and you are going to check for permanent residency cards and 
immigration documents--which you are required to do by law, by the 
way--then this DOJ is going to tell you: Give it up. We are not 
checking who is complying with the law. We just want things done our 
way.
  This needs to stop.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Oregon.
  Mr. MERKLEY. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent to complete my 
remarks before we break for the vote.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.