Upholding Rule of Law Protects Americans

The inalienable rights asserted by our Founders—life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness—cannot exist without proper respect for the rule of law. This starts at our borders and then flows through every branch of federal, state, and local government throughout our country. Faced with unprecedented challenges in maintaining the rule of law, Congress and the Trump administration have taken bold actions which are yielding remarkable results. According to the Department of Homeland Security there were 91.8 percent fewer attempted illegal crossings of the U.S.-Mexico border in July 2025 compared to July 2024. This dramatic decrease is a direct result of the Trump administration swiftly bringing an end to catch-and-release practices and restoring the successful Remain in Mexico policy.

In Washington, DC, President Trump’s actions to bolster law enforcement in our nation’s capital are making the city more secure for both residents and visitors. All too frequent violence has sadly taken the lives of two young staff members from the Israeli Embassy and a congressional intern just this summer. By activating National Guard troops to support the work of DC Police and leveraging various federal law enforcement agents to assist DC police operations, President Trump multiplied the tools and resources available to keep Americans safe.

Halting fentanyl’s illegal flow across our borders, putting an end to the trafficking of minors, and safeguarding our communities can only be achieved with a commitment to proven solutions. This is why I supported provisions enacted in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1) to stop the flow of fentanyl, resume border wall construction, invest in cutting-edge enforcement technology, and enhance compensation for hardworking border agents.

H.R. 1 allocates more than $46 billion to construct and maintain the border barrier system, including 701 new miles of primary wall, 900 new miles of river barriers, 629 new miles of secondary barriers, and the replacement of 141 miles of vehicle and pedestrian barriers. The bill also provides significant investment in Coast Guard vehicles and infrastructure.

During a visit I made last year to the border at Eagle Pass, TX, I witnessed the tragic conditions created in the absence of law enforcement and border deterrence under the Biden administration. Despite recent progress, arrests this summer in Nebraska of violent MS-13 gang leaders wanted in El Salvador show how President Biden’s failure to address the border crisis continues to impact communities across the country, not just in border regions.

These violent gang leaders were identified though a routine traffic stop by a local sheriff’s deputy. To further leverage this kind of cooperation, I supported provisions in H.R. 1 to fully fund ICE’s 287(g) program, which empowers state and local law enforcement to assist federal immigration officers. Plans for a new state-federal partnership involving a new ICE detention center in McCook, NE, announced this week, give another example of how Governor Pillen and state law enforcement can work with the administration to accomplish the mission of ICE to bring such criminals to justice.

While the border crisis worsened under the previous administration, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act empowers law enforcement across our country to truly make a difference in protecting our communities. Since January 2025, the difference President Trump’s actions have made to secure our nation’s borders is remarkable. As law enforcement officials continue to work around the clock to keep our country safe, I will keep fighting for sound policies to support them and protect Americans.