We must embrace our duty to secure our borders

Last week the president made his first national address from the Oval Office. He outlined a compelling case for the critical need for border security, including a physical barrier on our southern border. 

In the last two years, ICE officers made 266,000 arrests of aliens with criminal records, including those charged or convicted of 100,000 assaults, 30,000 sex crimes and 4,000 violent killings. Women and children are being victimized and used as pawns by vicious individuals and gangs. And 90 percent of the illegal drugs flowing into our country come across the southern border, including meth, heroin, cocaine and Fentanyl. 

We must embrace our duty to secure our borders and sensibly reform our immigration laws. Without meaningful control of our borders, the United States will continue to attract illegal immigration and perpetuate the broken status quo.

Physical barriers matter. We have barriers to protect our children in schools. We have barriers to provide security at our airports. Americans live in gated communities with physical barriers – including many Democrats, current members of Congress and the Former president –– in the name of safety and security.

Federal workers will receive their back pay, but Ronil Singh’s son will never see his father again. Marilyn Pharis’ children and grandchildren will never hear her voice or see her again.

I will continue to support and advocate for funding for comprehensive border security that includes a physical barrier, additional technology, and the roads and tactical infrastructure needed to secure our borders. Our system should reflect that we are a nation of laws with compassion for those who seek to escape danger and poverty to breathe America’s promise of liberty.

Congressman Daniel Webster represents The Villages in the U.S. House of Representatives.