Austin News

U.S. Senator John Cornyn and seven of his Republican Senate colleagues have criticized U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas for suspending cross-border rail commerce to process migrants. In a letter addressed to Mayorkas, the senators expressed their concern about the recent decision by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to close rail routes in Eagle Pass and El Paso, Texas.

The senators emphasized the negative impact of this decision on carriers' ability to transport goods across the North American rail network. They pointed out that the closure of these rail ports of entry directly affects North American consumers who rely on these goods. They highlighted the significance of these crossings for the successful operation of the trade partnership with Mexico, which totaled an estimated $855.1 billion in 2022.

Senator Cornyn and his colleagues also emphasized the urgency of addressing the ongoing border crisis, which they described as the worst on record. They cited the alarming number of encounters at the southern border since President Biden took office, reaching over 6.6 million. The senators stressed that the lack of effective policies to address illegal immigration not only threatens national security but also disrupts the supply chain.

Furthermore, the senators urged Secretary Mayorkas to take the crisis seriously and engage with Congress to enact real policy change that stops the flow of illegal migration. They emphasized that redirecting a small group of CBP personnel away from the rail entries would not be sufficient to address the substantial challenges at the border.

In conclusion, Senator Cornyn and his Republican colleagues called for the reopening of the rail ports of entry at Eagle Pass and El Paso, Texas. They emphasized the need for immediate action to address the humanitarian, security, and economic crisis at the southern border.

The full text of the letter can be found here. The letter was led by Senator Pete Ricketts and also signed by Senators Katie Boyd Britt, Cynthia Lummis, Roger Marshall, Thom Tillis, Jerry Moran, and Marsha Blackburn.

Click this link to access more information: https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-gop-colleagues-slam-mayorkas-for-suspending-cross-border-rail-commerce-to-process-migrants/