Rep. Renee Ellmers (R-N.C.) said on Wednesday that the House of Representatives worked diligently to pass legislation that addresses the southern border crisis and the Senate must now take action.
The House approved the Secure the Southwest Border Supplemental Appropriations Act on Friday. The bill would provide supplemental funding to U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, deploy the National Guard to the border and fund expedited processing of immigration cases.
“I witnessed this crisis firsthand on a recent trip to the border last month,” Ellmers said. “After speaking with law enforcement, border patrol and local officials, it became abundantly clear that stemming the flow of immigrants into our states is an emergency that affects all of us. We have done our part here in the House, and it is up to (Sen.) Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and the Senate to finish the job.”
In addition to taking steps to shore up the southern border and expedite immigration hearings, the bill would also prevent future unilateral executive action related to immigration policy.
“Last week, my colleagues and I worked diligently to pass two important bills that deal with the immigration crisis at our border and provide funding and resources to stem this flow into our states,” Ellmers said. “We have done our duty here in the House and are awaiting action from the Senate.”
North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory expressed concern on Tuesday about the number of children detained at the southern border who have been relocated to North Carolina, the Charlotte Observer reports.
“(On Tuesday), Gov. McCrory echoed the frustrations we face here in the House, which makes it even more pertinent that the Senate act immediately,” Ellmers said. “The president and his administration must also enforce existing law and secure our border.”