Lafayette Reporter

Washington - Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) has delivered a stark warning to the Biden administration, highlighting the dangers posed by the open border policies. Speaking on the Senate floor, Kennedy expressed his concerns that terrorists, cartel members, and sex offenders are taking advantage of the chaotic situation at the border to enter the country illegally. He called on President Biden to work with conservatives to secure the border and address this ongoing national security threat.

Kennedy emphasized that the crisis at the border is not just a problem for southern states like Texas and Arizona but an American crisis affecting every corner of the United States, including Louisiana. He cited estimates that Louisianians pay an additional $4,613 in state taxes due to illegal immigration, amounting to around $604 million per year. This burden on taxpayers comes at a time when Louisiana families are already struggling with inflation, having to spend an extra $800 per month.

Highlighting the gravity of the situation, Kennedy stated that President Biden's border policies are not only a human rights disaster but also provide cover for terrorist sympathizers, child sex offenders, and cartel associates to enter the United States illegally. He revealed shocking statistics, stating that in 2023 alone, Border Patrol apprehended 169 members of the FBI's terrorist watchlist attempting to cross the southern border illegally, more than ten times the number in the four years before Biden took office.

The senator also raised concerns about the exploitation of the open border by Mexico's cartels, who he accused of terrorizing Americans for years. Kennedy pointed out that the cartels flood communities with fentanyl, a deadly drug responsible for the deaths of tens of thousands of U.S. citizens each year. Louisiana alone lost over 1,300 people to fentanyl poisoning in 2022. The narco-terrorists profit from this illicit trade, accumulating as much as $1 billion per year.

Furthermore, Kennedy shed light on the harrowing experiences of migrants under the control of these cartels. He noted that sexual assault is rampant, with an estimated four out of every five women being assaulted during their journey. Notably, many male migrants escorted by the cartels are known sex offenders. Border Patrol agents in Texas alone captured 21 known child predators attempting to enter the country illegally in just two months. In the fiscal year 2023, Border Patrol apprehended 284 sex offenders.

In conclusion, Kennedy drew a parallel between the southern border and the front door of American homes. He stated that most Americans lock their front doors at night not out of hatred for those outside but out of love for the people inside. Similarly, he argued that the American people simply want to know who is entering and leaving their country in terms of immigration.

The senator's remarks highlight the urgency of addressing the border crisis and the potential threats it poses to national security. With terrorists, cartel members, and sex offenders exploiting the chaos at the border, securing the border and implementing effective immigration policies are crucial for the safety and well-being of all Americans.