President Biden doesn’t know what to do.
A coalition of Republican legislators unveiled a proposed bill on Thursday that would confer the authority upon the National Guard to employ lethal force against individuals classified as “armed invaders” attempting to cross the southern border into the United States. The legislative initiative, named the “Defend Our Borders from Armed Invaders Act,” was introduced by Representative Morgan Luttrell, a newcomer from Texas, and has been forwarded to the Committee on Armed Services for consideration.
Should the bill be ratified, it would empower the National Guard to undertake “Taking necessary measures to deter individuals attempting to enter the United States from Mexico while carrying weapons and for additional purposes.” according to a summary of the bill. While the comprehensive text of the legislation remains undisclosed to the public, Representative Luttrell, a former Navy SEAL, asserted that the measure is imperative to counteract the proliferation of criminal activities orchestrated by cartels and smugglers exploiting the porous border.
Luttrell expressed concern over the escalating violence at the border and its subsequent spillover into American communities, attributing the predicament to what he deemed as untenable national security conditions stemming from President Biden’s policies. He emphasized the legislation’s role in curbing crime by equipping the National Guard with the authority to thwart armed incursions into the United States through any necessary means.
Incidents of cartel members and smugglers utilizing weapons for trafficking both illegal immigrants and narcotics across the southern border have been well-documented. Notably, in August, Fox News acquired images revealing suspected cartel gunmen crossing the Texas border donning body armor and wielding rifles, showcasing an area where law enforcement previously apprehended alleged members of the Northeast Cartel.
This legislative proposal coincides with the ongoing legal dispute between Texas and the federal government regarding strategies to mitigate the unprecedented influx of illegal immigrants. Texas Governor Greg Abbott, in response to what he labeled an “unprecedented invasion” resulting from President Biden’s actions, has taken measures such as seizing state property along the Rio Grande and reinforcing the border, challenging federal directives to vacate certain areas.
The bill, entitled the “Defend Our Borders from Armed Invaders Act,” has garnered support from several Republican representatives, including Chuck Fleischman, Chuck Edward, Brian Babin, Michael Guest, Mike Collin, and Brandon William. The move is situated within the broader context of the Biden administration’s efforts to address border security concerns, including collaborative anti-smuggling campaigns and sanctions against cartel leaders, often conducted in coordination with Mexico. The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) report for fiscal year 2023 underscores the escalating challenges, with the non-detained docket of illegal immigrants surging from 3.7 million in FY 2021 to nearly 6.2 million in FY 2023.