Homan, lawmakers signal cooperation on ‘overlooked’ northern border amid migrant spike: ‘Same vision’
Republican lawmakers from the Northern Border Security Caucus are seeking to meet with border czar Tom Homan to address the escalating crisis at the northern border. In a letter obtained by Fox News Digital, Reps. Mike Kelly and Ryan Zinke emphasized the urgency of protecting the northern border, which has been overshadowed by the crisis at the southern border.
Despite the fact that the number of migrant encounters at the northern border is significantly lower than those at the southern border, there has been a sharp increase in numbers during the Biden administration. In FY 2024, there were nearly 200,000 encounters, representing an 82% increase over FY 2022. The Swanton Sector, where a Border Patrol agent was tragically shot and killed, saw a staggering 1,720% increase in encounters during the same period.
The Northern Border Security Caucus, comprised of 24 members, was recently reintroduced for the 119th Congress. The caucus advocates for secure borders and aims to raise awareness of the immigration issues facing states along the northern border with Canada. Kelly and Zinke extended an invitation to Homan to discuss ways in which Congress and the new administration can collaborate to secure the northern border.
In response to the lawmakers’ request, Homan expressed his eagerness to engage with them as soon as possible to address the national security vulnerabilities and decrease illegal crossings of aliens and narcotics at the northern border. The caucus was initially founded in 2023 amidst a spike in numbers at the northern border, with members raising concerns about the presence of individuals on the terror watchlist who have crossed via the border.
In 2023, then-President Joe Biden announced a new agreement with Canada to address illegal immigration at the northern border, ensuring that migrants attempting to cross illegally between ports of entry will be returned. This updated agreement builds upon the 2004 Safe Third Country Agreement, which did not specifically address illegal immigration.
As the border crisis continues to escalate, the Northern Border Security Caucus remains committed to advocating for the protection of the northern border and collaborating with key stakeholders, including border czar Tom Homan, to address the challenges at hand. Their efforts aim to ensure the safety and security of the border and the communities that reside along it.
