[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 80 (Tuesday, May 13, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2871-S2872]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Border Security
Mr. BARRASSO. Madam President, this week, Senator Kaine of Virginia
and Senator Van Hollen of Maryland are going to force a vote on a
resolution here in the Senate, and, astonishingly, it is in defense of
illegal immigrant criminals.
They are going to take up the Senate's time, the time of the American
people, because they want to defend illegal immigrant criminals. It is
called the Kaine-Van Hollen resolution, pure political theater. It is
not about human rights. It is not about protecting Americans, in my
opinion, from violent crime, and that is why I am opposing what they
are proposing here today.
What they are proposing is to shield illegal immigrant criminals--
shield them from deportation and shield them as they try to evade
arrest.
Democrats want to defend illegal immigrant criminals, and apparently
they want to continue to do that. Let's talk about illegal immigrant
criminals, and let's talk about the one that they are running to check
on in El Salvador: Kilmar Abrego Garcia.
That is what one of them did, went to go check on him. The media
likes to call him a ``Maryland man.'' Senator Van Hollen said he
doesn't ``vouch'' for Garcia. Yet he is one of many Democrats now who
have gone to El Salvador.
Let's talk about Garcia's record. That is what the American people
have been hearing about as well. For starters, Garcia is an illegal
immigrant with a deportation order. He has been
[[Page S2872]]
ordered by the courts to be deported from the United States. His own
lawyer has conceded, in immigration court, that he entered the country
illegally back in 2011, and he is fully subject to deportation, and a
deportation order has been given.
Moreover, in 2019, an immigration judge again--a judge--determined
Garcia was a ``verified member'' of MS-13. A ``verified member'' of MS-
13. Well, then they appealed. Well, the determination was upheld on
appeal. Yes, he is a ``verified member'' of MS-13. Oh, he is also
suspected of human trafficking because in 2022, he was caught driving
eight passengers from Texas to Maryland. He was stopped in Tennessee.
He was driving eight passengers, Texas to Maryland, in a car registered
to a human smuggler. Astonishing. That is what the Democrats are
defending.
He was driving on a suspended license, no proof of insurance, all in
violation of the law. None of these eight passengers being moved--
transported--from Texas to Maryland had any luggage. Tennessee law
enforcement recently released the body camera footage of the stop. It
is real.
But what else do we know? Well, his wife, Garcia's wife, sought two
protective orders--two protective orders--against him for threatening
to kill her. That is whom the Democrats are here defending today--not
that one individual but that whole style of behavior that has now
impacted every community in America as 10 million illegal immigrants
flooded into our country during the Biden administration.
What has President Trump done? He has taken this dangerous thug off
the streets. But now Democrats are fighting to bring illegal immigrant
criminals, in his case and others, back into the country. How many
people want him as a next-door neighbor? Is that good news? Is that
what the Democrats want, hey, bring him back, bring him into our
community?
President Trump and Republicans in this body are protecting our
communities. We are supporting and actually deporting illegal immigrant
criminals. Democrats' policies would allow each and every one of those
criminals to roam free in our communities.
Americans were forced to live with Democrats' failed approach at the
border for the last 4 years. Ten million illegal immigrants flooded
into the country, entered with ease. Open border policies--what do we
know about our home State of Wyoming?--drove up crime, drove up
fentanyl deaths. So many illegal immigrants, they strained our schools,
our hospitals, our communities. And Democrats are now attempting to
weaken the strong and successful border security policies that this
current administration is actually enforcing, which the Democrats
ignored.
Illegal crossings are down 93 percent from last year. In April, only
five illegal immigrants were released into the country. Compare that to
April 1 year ago when Joe Biden was in charge. He was the President.
The Democrats were the majority.
Mr. President, 68,000 illegal immigrants were released into America
in a single month under Joe Biden. That was the month of April last
year.
Look, we are putting in place strong border security. Republicans are
leading the way. We ended this catch-and-release program. We restored
``Remain in Mexico.'' We are the party of secure borders and safe
communities. The Democrats are the party of open borders and crime
running rampant.
So the response of the obstructionist Democrat is to push a political
stunt, and that is what they are doing here today. This Kaine-Van
Hollen resolution, it wastes the Senate's time, it delays our important
work on behalf of the American people.
I have not heard one Democrat, and I hope some come to the floor and
explain how allowing MS-13 gang members to roam free in our communities
and in our neighborhoods, how that makes America safer or stronger.
What is the Democrat plan to protect Americans like Laken Riley and
Rachel Morin and other victims of their failed policies?
They have none. They have none.
Republicans know how to keep America safe: Secure the border. Fund
law enforcement. Deport illegal immigrant criminals. That is the way to
keep our country safe and strong.
I yield the floor.
I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Moreno). The clerk will call the roll.
The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. MURPHY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for
the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.