Tucson Standard

In a recent communication to President Biden, Rep. Cory McGarr (R-Ariz.) and other Arizona House Republicans voiced their disapproval of the current border control policies. They also criticized the decision by the Biden Administration to close the Lukeville port of entry.

McGarr stated, "Looking at those crossing the border in droves, they are largely military-aged men, not families in search of a better life as Democrats continually claim." He further added, "Your open-border approach to immigration is a national threat that will have disastrous impacts on the entire country."

The letter to the President was co-authored by McGarr and 31 other House Republicans, including Reps. Quang Nguyen (R-Ariz.), Alexander Kolodin (R-Ariz.), Joseph Chaplik (R-Ariz.), David Cook (R-Ariz.), Matt Gress (R-Ariz.), among others. The lawmakers raised several concerns in their letter, such as a 40% increase in southwest border encounters since 2021, nearly 200 attempts by migrants on the terrorist watch list to cross, apprehension of Chinese nationals amid tensions between the United States and China, and the recent closure of the Lukeville Port of Entry.

According to their letter, "The decision to close the Lukeville Port of Entry as a solution to the crisis you created is unacceptable and must be reversed immediately," wrote McGarr and his colleagues. They added that "It is no secret why the border is overwhelmed. Your anti-American open-border policy sent a message to the world: that there will be no consequences for illegal immigration. The real solution is simple. Reverse your policy and put a halt to the wide-open door for so-called 'asylum-seekers'."

In response to an increase in illegal migrant crossings, Lukeville port - one of the busiest ports - was closed at the beginning of December. There has been no official announcement regarding how long the port will remain closed, causing Arizona lawmakers to express dissatisfaction with the Biden Administration's decision. According to an article from the Associated Press, this closure is negatively impacting businesses and individuals as legal cross-border activities like shopping, dining, and school commutes for some Mexican children have been disrupted.

The lawmakers wrote in their letter that "Border states in particular are significantly harmed by your administration’s failed policies every day. Our law enforcement agencies at the border are overextended. Healthcare providers in border communities are overworked to such an extent that they are struggling to provide essential services to the residents of their community in need of care. Your decision to close the Lukeville Port of Entry is just the latest in a long stream of irresponsible policies from your administration that fail to keep Arizona citizens, and all Americans, safe from criminal activity at the border."

McGarr, who won his seat with 59,385 votes, represents District 17 and assumed office on January 9, 2023. With a background as a pest control technician, he currently serves as the vice chair of the Regulatory Affairs Committee and is also a member of the House Judiciary Committee and the Natural Resources, Energy, and Water Committee.