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[Page S5016]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS
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SENATE RESOLUTION 280--COMMENDING THE OFFICERS AND PERSONNEL OF U.S.
CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION FOR THEIR WORK DURING THE CRISIS AT THE
SOUTHERN BORDER
Mr. GRAHAM (for himself, Mr. Grassley, Mr. Cornyn, Mr. Lee, Mr. Cruz,
Mr. Sasse, Mr. Hawley, Mr. Tillis, Ms. Ernst, Mr. Crapo, Mr. Kennedy,
and Mrs. Blackburn) submitted the following resolution; which was
referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs:
S. Res. 280
Whereas U.S. Customs and Border Protection (referred to in
this preamble as ``CBP'') is charged with protecting the
borders of the United States and facilitating travel and
trade;
Whereas the Southern border of the United States is
experiencing unprecedented numbers of vulnerable individuals
attempting to enter the country;
Whereas, in June 2019, 104,344 individuals were apprehended
at the Southern border, which is an increase of more than 140
percent, as compared to June 2018;
Whereas, as of June 2019, the number of individuals
apprehended or determined to be inadmissible by CBP at the
Southern border in fiscal year 2019 is 780,638, already
surpassing the fiscal year 2014 total of 569,287, which was
the highest such number in the preceding 5 years;
Whereas the Homeland Security Advisory Council expects
Southwest border migration numbers to approach or exceed
1,000,000 individuals in fiscal year 2019 unless immediate
action is taken;
Whereas, historically, the majority of individuals arriving
at the Southern border have been single adult males from
Mexico, but by May 2019, 72 percent of all border enforcement
actions were associated with unaccompanied children and
family units;
Whereas, due to the constant and increasing flow of
migrants crossing the Southern border between ports of entry,
financial and human resources are being diverted from the
security and law enforcement duties of CBP, resulting in--
(1) fewer seizures of narcotics and illicit currency; and
(2) increased wait times at ports of entry, leading to
warnings of possible produce shortages and interruptions in
supply chains;
Whereas more than 40 percent of CBP resources are currently
being absorbed by the humanitarian crisis at the Southern
border;
Whereas the final emergency interim report published by the
Homeland Security Advisory Council on April 16, 2019, notes
that a substantial number of individuals who are apprehended
by CBP require significant personal and medical care that
exceeds the ability and capacity of CBP, despite creative and
humane attempts by CBP to care for such individuals in CBP
custody;
Whereas CBP officers and personnel have raised concerns
that overcrowding poses immediate risks to--
(1) the health and safety of the migrants; and
(2) CBP officers;
Whereas CBP officers are experiencing both physical illness
and severe mental and emotional distress as a result of the
crisis at the Southern border;
Whereas, in May 2019, the Commissioner of CBP requested an
additional $2,100,000 for the Employee Assistance Program of
CBP in order to offer additional counseling services to CBP
officers and personnel to respond to ``unanticipated critical
incidents and other emerging crises, such as the unexpected
response required for migrant caravans, employee suicides,
and the need for a financial wellness program''; and
Whereas, in the face of the most difficult circumstances,
CBP officers and personnel continue--
(1) to work undaunted to protect the Southern border; and
(2) to care for the migrants in CBP custody: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) commends the men and women of U.S. Customs and Border
Protection, including Border Patrol personnel, Office of
Field Operations personnel, Air and Marine Operations
personnel, Office of Trade personnel, and all support
personnel and their allies for their continued honorable
service during the challenging humanitarian crisis at the
Southern border; and
(2) calls on Congress to pass legislation to support U.S.
Customs and Border Protection officers and to manage the
increasing flow of migrants attempting to enter the United
States.
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