U.S. Rep Gus Bilirakis calls out Biden’s ‘inaction’ at the southern border, demands action

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Florida Republican Rep. Gus Bilirakis called out President Joe Biden’s “inaction” on the crisis at the southern border and demanded action Tuesday.

Bilirakis pointed to the steps he has taken to pressure the Biden Administration to secure the border including enforcement of existing statutes and the reversal of 64 policy decisions that he said have worsened the crisis.

“December marked the highest number of illegal immigrant encounters in history–with 331 persons on the Terror Watch list entering the country since President Biden took office,” Bilirakis said. “President Biden falsely claims that he needs Congress to act to give him the authority to take control over the border.”

Data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection depicts an alarming rise from 2021 to 2024 in border encounters, to the tune of 200,000 to 300,000 per month.

“Let me be perfectly clear,” Bilirakis continued. “President Biden has the authority to close the border today – he can simply direct his staff to enforce existing laws and reverse the 64 Executive Actions he has taken to worsen the border crisis since coming to office.”

The full list of the 64 Executive Actions that Bilirakis demanded to be reversed can be found here.

Bilirakis not only advocates undoing these measures, but also backs the impeachment of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas. He insisted on the swift implementation of the following provisions of HR 2 to address the border crisis:

• Forcing the Biden Administration to restart construction of the border wall.
• Deploying technology to the Southern and Northern border.
• Increasing the number of Border Patrol agents and provide bonus pay.
• Requiring transparency regarding illegal crossings from the Department of Homeland Security.
• Strengthening current laws to protect unaccompanied children from human trafficking.
• Ending catch and release.
• Ending abuse of executive immigration authority.
• Strengthening and streamlining the asylum process. 

Amidst a heated border dispute between Texas and the U.S. government, along with the massive flows of illegal migrants into the country, Florida Republican Sen. Marco Rubio said Biden has the power to subdue the crisis, but won’t.

Texas has been erecting border defenses, with its governor, Greg Abbott, declaring an “invasion” and invoking state self defense powers under the U.S. Constitution.

Biden issued a statement, blaming Republicans for not passing a border package that includes billions for border funding and still allowing in thousands of migrants per day. Biden endorsed the deal while former President Donald Trump slammed it.

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody joined 25 other state attorneys  general in demanding the U.S. government either support existing border security laws, or get out Texan efforts to secure it themselves.

Moody’s letter came a week after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Texas must still allow federal agents access to the border, allowing the government to strip away barriers being erected by Texas officials.

With Texas engaging in a legal standoff with the federal government over arguments the U.S. isn’t guarding the country from “invasion,” other Florida officials like Gov. Ron DeSantis have voiced support for Texas.

“I think that what’s happening in Texas is not just a Texas issue, it’s an American issue,” DeSantis said. “And you have a situation where you’ve had over 8 million people pour into this country illegally just in the last three years.”

The governor announced last week his support for a proposal in the Florida Legislature that would allow the Florida State Guard be sent to other states, like Texas. The guard is distinct from the National Guard in that it is solely controlled by the Florida governor.

The bill, HB 1551 by Rep. Mike Giallombardo, R-Cape Coral, would allow the Florida State Guard to operate outside state lines if other states enter an agreement permitting it.