COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES, ENERGY & WATER
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AMENDMENTS TO S.C.R. 1011
(Reference to Senate engrossed resolution)
Strike page 1, insert:
"Whereas, the southern border consists of 1,954 miles of varied terrain, including deserts, rugged mountainous areas, forests and coastal areas; and
Whereas, officially established in 1924 by an act of Congress in response to increasing illegal immigration, the United States Border Patrol has primary responsibility for securing the border between ports of entry; and
Whereas, Border Patrol agents patrol international land borders and waterways to detect and prevent the illegal trafficking of people, narcotics and contraband into the United States; and
Whereas, the southern border of the United States is experiencing unprecedented numbers of individuals attempting to enter the country illegally; and
Whereas, there has been a major increase in both apprehensions and expulsions on the southwest border since January of 2021, with over 70,000 expulsions and 26,000 apprehensions taking place in February; and
Whereas, many people are smuggled into the United States, by "coyotes" and criminal syndicates, in abusive, cruel and unsafe conditions, many times under false promises; and
Whereas, in January and February of 2021, the Border Patrol encountered more than 15,000 unaccompanied minors; and
Whereas, the Border Patrol is holding over 3,000 children in detention, a record high; and
Whereas, an uncontrolled border is a security and humanitarian crises, endangering the safety of American citizens with the harmful threat of COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) and subjecting unaccompanied minors to poor conditions; and
Whereas, the Biden administration has halted construction of a southern border wall, and there are numerous unfinished sections in Arizona."
Page 2, strike everything after the resolving clause and insert:
"1. That the Members of the Legislature call on the President and Congress to take immediate and decisive action to secure the southern border and stymie the security and humanitarian crises associated with any further illegal immigration and to as quickly as possible shore up the southern border by completing the southern border wall.
2. That the Secretary of State of the State of Arizona transmit a copy of this Resolution to the President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives and each Member of Congress from the State of Arizona."
Amend title to conform