Champlain, N.Y. - Today, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik visited the Champlain Port of Entry and Border Patrol facility to hear directly from Border Patrol Agents about the crisis at the Northern Border and see the impact of the unprecedented surge of illegal crossings at the Swanton Sector due to Joe Biden’s open border policies.
Congresswoman Stefanik met with the U.S. Border Patrol’s Swanton Sector Chief Patrol Agent Robert Garcia to discuss the unprecedented number of illegal crossings at the Northern Border. She also met with Acting Area Port Director Todd Bulson to discuss the staff shortage affecting U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) ability to operate effectively and efficiently.
“I had the opportunity to see firsthand how our brave Border Patrol agents and CBP officers are working hard to keep our communities safe from the invasion of illegal immigrants flooding into our state because of Joe Biden, Chuck Schumer, and Kathy Hochul’s failed Far Left open border policies. The Swanton Sector Border Patrol had more illegal immigrant apprehensions in FY23 than the previous eleven fiscal years combined because of these failed Far Left open border policies,” said Congresswoman Elise Stefanik. “It is abundantly clear that our brave Border Patrol and CBP agents are in desperate need of more resources and support. While Far Left Democrats continue to incentivize this crisis they created, Republicans are fighting to secure our border and ensure our agents and officers have the resources they need to keep us safe.”
“Congresswoman Stefanik’s steadfast support of our members and national security is greatly appreciated. The crisis at our border isn’t just at the southern border. It’s at the northern border as well. Having a champion like Elise is incredible,” stated Brandon Budlong, President, National Border Patrol Council Local 2724.
In May 2023, Congresswoman Stefanik voted to pass H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act, which would increase the number of Border Patrol agents, provide effective border enforcement technology, resume construction of the border wall, strengthen the asylum process, and end the administration’s catch and release policy.
