Lankford Visits Arizona Border, Receives Briefings from Border Patrol and ICE Officials

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) concluded a two-day trip to the US-Mexico border in Arizona last week, where he met with federal agents, toured border facilities, and received briefings on the escalating challenges of securing the southern border.

During his visit, Lankford toured the Gwen Mikeal Village, a Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) facility that cares for unaccompanied minors who have crossed into the United States. He also received in-depth briefings at the Tucson Border Patrol headquarters and the Tucson CBP Air and Marine Operations headquarters, followed by a night tour with the Border Patrol Union. While on the tour, Lankford witnessed firsthand a gap in the border wall that is exploited by illegal border crossers.

The following day, Lankford toured the DeConcini port of entry, where he saw the process for the CBP One app. He then visited the Nogales Border Patrol Station and finished his visit with a briefing at the Tucson ICE facility with the Homeland Security Investigations to learn about the current state of interior enforcement. To view pictures from the trip, click here.

"People from all over the world-including Russia and countries in Africa-are crossing our southern border illegally because they know they can get away with it," said Lankford. "This isn't just a border crisis; it's a national security threat. Since the CBP One app doesn't require photo ID verification, there's no way to confirm the person filling out the information is who they say they are, which means we have no idea who is really coming into our country and that puts our communities at risk."

There also has been a surge of dangerous drugs like fentanyl and methamphetamines crossing the southern border, and Oklahoma communities are feeling the effects. Meth remains the top drug threat in the state.

"When drug traffickers and illegal drugs slip through the cracks, families in Oklahoma suffer," said Lankford. "Meth is responsible for more overdose deaths in our state than any other drug, and the increasing flow of it across the border is putting more lives in danger."

Senator Lankford has been an outspoken advocate for stronger border security measures. As a member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Lankford will continue to fight to secure the border by pushing for stronger policies and ensuring that federal agencies have the resources and support they need to effectively protect America's borders.

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