Sen. Bernie Moreno questioned U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott about the recent decline in illegal border crossings, focusing on whether new legislation was responsible for the change.
During the exchange, Moreno referenced the dramatic shift from what he described as historically high levels of illegal immigration to significantly lower numbers.
“What laws were changed in the last 12 months that made it so that we went from the most open border in American history, hundreds of 1000s of people coming this country illegally every month to virtually zero. What laws did we pass? I want to get I want you to give credit to Congress for acting to pass these incredible laws that resulted in this decrease,” Moreno asked.
Scott responded directly.
“No laws were passed, sir, nothing new.”
Moreno sought clarification.
“Wait, what? No laws were passed?” he asked.
Scott reiterated his response.
“No new laws were passed.”
Moreno then shifted his focus to enforcement efforts carried out by CBP agents.
“So we’re sitting here passing judgment on your team who actually enforced the laws the United States of America to not allow people to enter our country legally, to regain our sovereignty. Is that, do your agents find sometimes that they’re living in an upside down world?” Moreno asked.
Scott declined to speak on behalf of his personnel but offered his own view.
“I won’t speak for the agents. They’re not here, but I do,” Scott replied.
Moreno characterized the situation as straightforward enforcement of existing statutes.
“It’s pretty outrageous, right? Like you have a simple job enforce the laws United States of America, correct?” he asked.
Scott agreed and described CBP’s mission in basic terms.
“Correct. And CBPs job, if you want to really simplify it, we’re just supposed to know and then control who comes into this country and who stays in this country consistent with the laws Congress passes. That’s all we’re trying to do.”
Moreno also referenced congressional hearings and questioned the focus of recent discussions.
“And we spent a lot of time here talking about the deaths of two protesters. And as my colleague from Florida pointed out, we haven’t had a single hearing about the deaths of American citizens on the hands of criminal aliens.”
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