WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last week, U.S. Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) and his Republican colleagues traveled to the U.S. – Mexico border to see firsthand the immigration and humanitarian crisis currently facing our country and meet with local officials and border patrol agents on the ground handling the surge.

“After visiting the southern border, it is clear that we are facing a crisis,” said Senator Tillis. “Instead of denying reality and blocking media access so the American people can’t see the full extent of what is happening, the Biden Administration needs to start showing some leadership and accountability. I stand ready to work with the administration to secure our border and end this humanitarian and security crisis.”

On Thursday night, Senator Tillis was given a tour of the border by the National Border Patrol Council after attending a meeting with border patrol agents ahead of their nightly patrol.

Watch video of Senator Tillis addressing the crisis HERE.

On Friday, Senator Tillis visited the Donna U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) facility, which is used for housing and processing illegal immigrants. Currently, the facility has far surpassed maximum holding capacity and roughly 10 percent of facility occupants have tested positive for COVID-19, as reported by the CBP. Due to President Biden’s press restrictions, the media was not allowed to accompany the delegation inside the facility.

After the tour, the delegation met with the Pharr International Bridge Office of Field Operations, City of Pharr officials, border mayors, and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) working to combat the ongoing crisis. The senators then visited the border wall to see where President Biden has halted its construction. Finally, the delegation was given a boat tour by the Texas Department of Public Safety of the Rio Grande River before ending the day discussing their findings with reporters. 

Watch video of Senator Tillis briefing the media after the trip HERE.

Watch the full briefing HERE.

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