Cuellar, Suozzi, set up a new Border Security Task Force

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Congressmen Henry Cuellar of Texas and Tom Suozzi of New York have launched the Democrats for Border Security Task Force.

The task force comprises a group of 26 House Democrats. According to a news release, the group is “dedicated to countering the surge of illicit narcotics threatening communities across the country and addressing the influx of irregular migration at the southern border.”

Cuellar and Suozzi will serve as co-chairs of the newly formed Task Force.

Cuellar said the goal of the Task Force will be to provide a forum for House Democrats to contribute to ongoing discussions regarding border security and collaborate with colleagues. 

He said the task force will hold meetings with Administration officials, NGOs, and local officials from border communities to better inform members of the realities of the border crisis while giving House Democrats a platform to discuss sensible border security measures.

“Cities across the country are now feeling the consequences of the humanitarian crisis at the border – something border communities have been dealing with for years,” Cuellar said.

“This crisis is unsustainable, and Democrats need a forum to approach border security policy as the GOP continues to play partisan politics with the issue. The crisis at our border demands solutions today, and it is unfortunate that a bipartisan Senate bill aimed at addressing the situation was killed before we even had a chance to debate its contents. I’m proud to lead my fellow Democrats on this Task Force so we can find sensible solutions that will secure the border while respecting the rights of migrants to claim asylum.”

Suozzi agreed.

“America’s southern border and immigration system aren’t working, and it is time to fix it. This task force will advocate for commonsense, bipartisan compromise to achieve much-needed and long-overdue comprehensive immigration reform. Our approach to the immigration and border crisis is unequivocal; we will work with anybody from any wing of any party if they genuinely care about solving this problem,” Suozzi said. 

“Too many in politics today are focused on pointing out the problem and keep busy figuring out what tricks they have ‘up their sleeves’ to weaponize the border crisis, this task force will ‘roll up our sleeves’ to try to fix it.”

Many of the 26 House Democrats in the Democrats for Border Security Task Force attended a press conference on the Capitol grounds to launch the new group. Cuellar kicked it off.

I think it’s important for Democrats who talk about strong border security and still be respectful of immigrants rights and values,” Cuellar said.

“For so long that Republicans have had a narrative about the border being a dangerous place and out of control. I think it’s important that Democrats also have a narrative about border security. We care about your border security. Some of us live in the border and we understand what the border is all about.”

Cuellar said the new task force wants to see passage of the bipartisan border security bill introduced in the Senate. He noted that Republicans are blocking its passage.

“Republicans have been calling for securing the border. Finally, there’s a strong border deal done and they don’t want to bring it up for a vote,” Cuellar said.

Cuellar said it is worth remembering that in the last two appropriation cycles, Congress has tried to add $2.4 billion for Customs & Border Protection.

“That is (money) for Border Patrol, adding new agents, support staff, the bonuses and retention, everything for border technology. $2.4 billion. Every single Republican that’s still in the House, except for two, voted against putting money into border security.”

Cuellar added: “So, again, it’s not only talking about narratives, but it’s taking action and this is why we’re here.”

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