State Reps. Jordan, Prescott and State Sen. Raatz visit Texas border

'The federal government has long ignored the long-term impact on these illegal crossings.'

State Reps. Jack Jordan (R-Bremen) and J.D. Prescott (R-Union City) recently visited Texas' southern border with State Sen. Jeff Raatz (R-Richmond) for a briefing on Operation Lone Star, a border security initiative started by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to deter illegal immigration, drug trafficking and human smuggling. They took a helicopter ride along the border and received an airboat demonstration on the Rio Grande River during their visit on Sunday, Nov. 17.

A report from the Homeland Security Committee recorded more than 10 million encounters with inadmissible aliens nationwide, including more than 8 million at the southwest border since the start of the 2021 fiscal year. Prescott said that as the front line of defense against illegal immigration, drug trafficking and more, these law enforcement professionals work tirelessly to protect U.S. citizens and maintain the safety of the nation's borders.

“It was a great experience to join fellow legislators and see firsthand the work Texas border patrolmen are doing at the southern border," Prescott said. "Through Indiana and many other states, illegal immigration has become a more widely discussed issue, prompting debates on border security, state-level policies, and the balance between federal and state responsibilities. I appreciate everyone who briefed us as well as the legislators who attended the trip."

The Federation for American Immigration Reform reported that taxpayers spent approximately $182 billion to cover the costs incurred from the presence of more than 15 million illegal aliens, and over 5 million citizen children of illegal aliens. Overall, illegal immigration is costing the average U.S. taxpayer $1,156 every year, highlighting the role of U.S. Border Patrol in securing the border, preventing unlawful crossings and reducing the financial burden on taxpayers.

"While Indiana is not a border state like Texas, we do bear significant costs from illegal immigration directly in our state," Raatz said. "While this is not a new problem, it has increased exponentially in the last four years. Some of the stories we were told are inexplicable. We owe the State of Texas an immeasurable debt of gratitude for their diligence at their border”

"Our trip to the Texas border was an eye-opening journey as we were able to see border patrol actively protect our citizens with a safe, secure border," Jordan said. "The federal government has long ignored the long-term impact on these illegal crossings. I am grateful for everyone who made this experience possible, and I'm thankful for those who watch our border, so we are able to keep our freedoms." 

Visit cbp.gov to learn more about U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Click here to learn more about illegal immigration. Visit Jordan's webpage at in.gov/h17. You can also visit Prescott's webpage at in.gov/h33 or call 317-232-9600 for more information. For additional inquiries, visit Raatz's webpage at in.gov/s27 or call 800-382-9467.