“Today, Democrats continue to choose illegal immigrants over American citizens. Democrats are the party of defund the police. Now, they want to defund our safety, our security, and our borders. Republicans refuse to allow this dangerous agenda to succeed.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Whip, today spoke on the Senate Floor about how Republicans strengthened border security and made American communities safer. Meanwhile, Democrats put illegal immigrants ahead of the safety and security of American citizens.

Click HERE to watch Senator Barrasso’s remarks.

Sen. Barrasso’s remarks:

“America faces a critical choice about our safety. This debate is not complicated. Republicans are fighting to enforce the law. We want to keep the border secure. Democrats are fighting to weaken law enforcement. Democrats want to reward illegal immigrants who break our laws.

“Right now, criminals who are here illegally are among the most dangerous threats to our nation’s safety. These are violent offenders – murderers, rapists, drug dealers, child traffickers. The worst of the worst. Many entered our country when Joe Biden and Democrats threw open our borders. Over 10 million illegal immigrants flooded in.

“During the 2024 election, the American people spoke clearly. Americans voted for more border security, not less. For more law enforcement, not less. And yes, for deporting criminal illegal immigrants, not permitting them to stay. Republicans understand that safe communities begin with secure borders.

“Today, Democrats continue to choose illegal immigrants over American citizens. Democrats are the party of defund the police. Now, they want to defund our safety, our security, and our borders. You’ve seen them protesting – eliminate ICE. Eliminate Immigrations and Customs Enforcement. They don’t want the law enforced. Republicans refuse to allow this dangerous agenda of the Democrats to succeed.

“Since retaking the majority, Republicans have made public safety a top priority. Republicans secured the border in record time. Illegal border crossings at the southern border are now at the lowest level in 50 years.

“Republicans passed the Laken Riley Act. It was the first bill we passed last year. It was the first bill signed into law by President Trump. The Laken Riley Act simply says that illegal immigrant criminals must be detained.

“Republicans then passed the Working Families Tax Cuts. That law invests over $170 billion to secure the border and safeguard communities. Republicans secured the largest investment in border security and law enforcement in America’s history. It includes $46 billion to finish the Wall, and $75 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. It helps hire, train, and retain more agents. It gives agents a $10,000 bonus so experienced officers remain on the job.

“Republicans ended Catch and Release. For eight consecutive months,

zero illegal immigrants were released into the country. Zero. Republicans strengthened enforcement in our country. More than 400,000 illegal immigrants charged with or convicted of a crime have been arrested and removed from our country.

“The lesson is clear. When we enforce the law and support law enforcement, Americans are safer.

“So, what have the Democrats done? Democrats continue to put illegal immigrants ahead of law-abiding American citizens. Last week, the Senate voted to complete funding for 96 percent of the federal government. Democrats blocked the bipartisan Homeland Security appropriations bill – a bill Democrats helped write. The Homeland Security Appropriation Bills funds TSA agents. It funds Federal Emergency Management Agency. It funds the Coast Guard. These are critical functions that keep Americans safe. Democrats are willing to treat all of it as collateral damage in their war against law enforcement.

“During the vote, Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont offered a targeted amendment. The Sanders Amendment targeted Immigrations and Customs Enforcement. Democrats wanted to defund ICE to the tune of $75 billion. It sought to redirect that money to pay for fraud. Every single Senate Democrat voted yes. That’s how radical Democrats have become. The Senate rightly rejected this amendment. The Sanders Amendment exposes Democrats’ open borders goals.

“When given the choice between protecting Americans and defunding law enforcement, Democrats side time and time again with illegal immigrants every single time. We’re trying to keep Americans safe, their trying to protect illegal immigrants. It’s that clearly defined. We’ve seen it on the sign as they protest in the streets, ‘Abolish ICE.’ Republicans believe government must protect law-abiding citizens from criminals. Democrats are choosing illegal immigrants ahead of law-abiding citizens.

“The events of the past few weeks are serious. These tragedies are no excuse to defund law enforcement. If Democrats want to have a debate about American safety, we welcome it. I am going to stand on the side of the American people. Democrats stand on the side of illegal immigrants.

“Republicans will continue to stand with the men and women who keep us safe – as Democrats try to defund the police and defund border security.”

###