26 GOP Governors Demand Biden End The Border Crisis

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, 26 Republican governors, led by Governors Doug Ducey and Greg Abbott, issued a joint letter to President Joe Biden requesting a meeting within 15 days to discuss the crisis at the southern border. As we surpass the eight-month mark of a relentless and unregulated surge of illegal crossings, Republican governors are responding to the detrimental effects of the Biden administration’s failure to secure the border.

Border apprehensions have surged almost 500% since last year and it is essential that federal action is taken immediately. Republican governors have stepped up in the absence of leadership and resources from the Biden administration – but time is up. The President is fully capable of using his office to implement policies that protect Americans from the multitude of problems that stem from the uncontrolled southern border.

Signatories to the letter include Governors Kay Ivey (AL), Mike Dunleavy (AK), Doug Ducey (AZ), Asa Hutchinson (AR), Ron DeSantis (FL), Brian Kemp (GA), Brad Little (ID), Eric Holcomb (IN), Kim Reynolds (IA), Charlie Baker (MA), Larry Hogan (MD), Tate Reeves (MS), Mike Parson (MO), Greg Gianforte (MT), Pete Ricketts (NE), Chris Sununu (NH), Doug Burgum (ND), Mike DeWine (OH), Kevin Stitt (OK), Henry McMaster (SC), Kristi Noem (SD), Bill Lee (TN), Greg Abbott (TX), Spencer Cox (UT), Jim Justice (WV), and Mark Gordon (WY).

Portions of the letter included below:
“As chief executives of our states, we request a meeting with you at The White House to bring an end to the national security crisis created by eight months of unenforced borders.”

“The negative impacts of an unenforced border policy on the American people can no longer be ignored. Border apprehensions are up almost 500% compared to last year, totaling more than 1.3 million—more people than the populations of nine U.S. states.”

“Despite the lack of federal action to reverse the crisis, many states have stepped up and committed unprecedented resources to support the security of our national border. We have heard directly from our constituents about the damage this crisis has caused in our states, and it is our duty as elected officials to act swiftly to protect our communities, as it is yours.”

“While governors are doing what we can, our Constitution requires that the President must faithfully execute the immigration laws passed by Congress. Not only has the federal government created a crisis, it has left our states to deal with challenges that only the federal government has a duty to solve.”

“We must end the current crisis and return to border operations that respect the laws of our land and the lives of all people, including those in our states looking to the federal government to enforce and protect our nation’s borders.”

“Due to the emergent crisis, we respectfully request a meeting as soon as your schedule allows within 15 days.”

View the signed letter here.