Rockland Reporter

On Friday, Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17) joined Nick Langworthy (NY-23) and more than a dozen colleagues to introduce the Northern Border Security Enhancement and Review Act (H.R. 8734). The legislation aims to address escalating security concerns at the U.S.-Canada border, ensuring enhanced oversight and accountability from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Congressman Lawler stated, "In the first seven months of Fiscal Year 2024, nearly twice as many individuals on the Known or Suspected Terrorist list were apprehended at our northern border than our southern border. Enough fentanyl has been seized at the northern border to kill over 270 million Americans. In total, nearly twice as many individuals have been apprehended at the northern border so far in 2024 than at the same point in 2023. Yet, despite these disturbing statistics, the crisis at our porous northern border has been even more egregiously overlooked than the crisis at our southern border. That’s why I’ve joined my fellow New Yorker Nick Langworthy and a dozen of our colleagues to introduce the Northern Border Security Enhancement and Review Act. Border security is national security, and we must move swiftly to secure both our nation’s land borders."

"Our northern border, the world’s longest unsecured border, poses a major threat to our national security, with hundreds of thousands of unidentified individuals streaming into our communities every year," said Congressman Langworthy. "The Biden Administration’s neglect has left us completely vulnerable — that’s why I introduced the Northern Border Security Enhancement and Review Act to hold the Department of Homeland Security accountable and ensure they report to Congress. I've personally met with Border Patrol agents in New York and witnessed their struggle firsthand — they are severely under-supported and left to face this crisis with limited resources. This legislation is not just a necessity; it's a demand for more transparency from the Biden Administration as it comes to the safety and sovereignty of our nation."

The Northern Border Security Enhancement and Review Act will:

- Mandate DHS to conduct and submit a Northern Border Threat Analysis annually.

- Require DHS to update its Northern Border Strategy within 90 days following the annual threat analysis.

- Obligate DHS to provide classified briefings to Congress within 30 days after submitting each threat analysis.

- Instruct DHS to develop performance measures for assessing Air and Marine Operations' effectiveness in securing the northern border.

This legislation was introduced with support from additional cosponsors Representatives Mike Kelly (PA-16), Ryan Zinke (MT-01), Michelle Fischbach (MN-07), Kelly Armstrong (ND), Lisa McClain (MI-09), Tom Kean Jr. (NJ-07), John Moolenaar (MI-02), Pete Stauber (MN-08), Claudia Tenney (NY-24), Tom Tiffany (WI-07), Randy Weber (TX-14), Chris Smith (NJ-04), Carol Miller (WV-01), Dan Newhouse (WA-04), and Elise Stefanik (NY-21).

"President Biden has let our southern border completely crumble, and because of that, our northern border is now being targeted," said Congresswoman McClain. "We must do everything possible to secure our borders and protect our homeland. The Northern Border Security Enhancement and Review Act does just that."

"The Biden border crisis isn’t just impacting our southern border; it’s also overwhelming our northern border as a record number of illegals and deadly drugs pour over," said Congressman Tiffany.

"Since President Biden took office, there has been an unprecedented surge in illegal crossings at our Northern Border," said Congresswoman Tenney.

"Over the last few years, the Northern border has seen a surge of illegal drug trafficking," said Congressman Kelly.

"Thanks to this Administration's failed policies, we have seen a rise in fentanyl overdoses," said Congresswoman Fischbach.

"Last month, I hosted a field hearing in Grand Forks," said Congressman Armstrong.

"As this Administration ignores crises at both borders," said Congressman Kean.

"The crisis at America’s borders has had devastating effects on this country," said Congresswoman Miller.

"President Biden’s policies have led to an unprecedented level of illegal crossings," said Congressman Moolenaar.

Key Background:

The U.S.-Canada border spans 5,525 miles across 11 states with land borders plus Ohio and Pennsylvania with maritime borders. Through FY24's first seven months:

9,460 individuals were apprehended compared to 4,849 during FY23's same period.

143 individuals on Known or Suspected Terrorist lists were apprehended.

1,274 pounds of Fentanyl were seized by U.S. Customs Air & Marine Operations.

The budding Northern Border crisis received little attention from DHS over eight years:

Released one Congressionally mandated Threat Analysis in 2017.

Updated its strategy once in 2018.

Failed GAO report recommendations since 2019 requiring specific metrics for monitoring.

Congressman Lawler represents New York's 17th Congressional District north of New York City covering Rockland County among others.