"America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves" Abraham Lincoln
As the United States grapples with one of the most severe border crises in its history, the fiscal and social ramifications of the Biden-Harris administration's failed border policies are coming into sharper focus. With a national debt exceeding $35 trillion, the additional burden of the ongoing border crisis only exacerbates the already fragile state of the economy. The House Budget Committee's recent hearing, titled "The Cost of the Border Crisis," offered a sobering examination of the impact these policies are having at the local, state, and federal levels.
The Fiscal Fallout: Taxpayers Footing the Bill
At the hearing, several witnesses, including members of the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) and representatives from Texas, laid bare the financial toll on American taxpayers. The estimated cost? A staggering $150.7 billion—and that’s a conservative estimate. FAIR’s analysis suggests the real number could reach up to $400 billion. State and local governments bear the lion’s share of this burden, forced to either raise taxes or cut critical services to cover the influx of illegal immigrants.
As Rep. Jodey Arrington (R-TX) noted, this financial strain hits states and localities hardest since they lack the federal government’s ability to borrow or print money. While Washington politicians may play political games, communities across the country are facing impossible choices: higher taxes or fewer services. It's not just a question of numbers; it's a question of fairness. Is it just to place this burden on citizens, who already contribute heavily through taxes, while illegal immigrants benefit from services without the same obligations?
National Security and Social Chaos
The border crisis is not just about dollars and cents—it’s also a matter of national security. The Biden- Harris administration's open-border policies have allowed a flood of drugs, criminals, and potential terrorists to enter the country unchecked. Congressman Chip Roy (R-TX) exposed one of the administration's tactics: using the parole system as a "backdoor" to funnel illegal immigrants into the U.S., bypassing proper vetting. In 2023 alone, over 400,000 people were flown into states like Texas and Florida under this system, posing a grave risk to communities nationwide.
Illegal immigration has created a public health emergency in many areas. As Rep. Lloyd Smucker (R-PA) emphasized, the devastating spread of fentanyl and other deadly drugs, brought over the border by cartels, has wreaked havoc across the country, claiming lives in areas far removed from the southern border. This isn't just a "border state" issue anymore—it's a national crisis.
Violent Crimes on the Rise
The U.S. Border Patrol data highlights the number of criminal noncitizens apprehended, revealing a significant increase in arrests since 2020, peaking at 15,608 in FY24. Crimes range from illegal entry and drug trafficking to more severe offenses like homicide and sexual crimes. Notably, convictions for illegal re-entry and driving under the influence show a consistent rise. These statistics reflect a growing trend of criminal activities among noncitizens apprehended at the border. For detailed statistics, visit CBP Criminal Non citizen Statistics.
The Human Cost: A Local Perspective
If we needed any more evidence of the disastrous effects of the Biden-Harris border policies, we need only look to Springfield, Ohio. Former State Representative Kyle Koehler shared a harrowing account of how his once-thriving community has been fundamentally altered by the massive influx of Haitian refugees. In just four years, Springfield has seen its population swell by 20,000 new residents—over a third of its original population. Schools, healthcare systems, and public safety departments are buckling under the pressure, with no end in sight.
Koehler described the troubling conditions in Springfield schools, where over 1,600 non-English-speaking students have been enrolled, and adults as old as 19 are attending classes with 13-year-olds. This is a recipe for disaster—both for the students trying to learn and the overwhelmed school systems tasked with educating them. The strain on healthcare is equally alarming, with a reported 871% increase in HIV cases over the last five years, largely attributed to this influx of refugees. Meanwhile, local hospitals are struggling to provide care for a surge of tuberculosis cases and other public health concerns tied to the border crisis.
Perhaps most alarming is the exploitation of these refugees. Many are locked into what Koehler referred to as "indentured servitude," working for substandard wages under temporary staffing contracts, and living in overcrowded, unsafe conditions. This is not compassion—this is abuse, and just a different form of slavery.
A Crisis by Design?
The policies that led to this crisis are not accidents or missteps—they are the result of deliberate decisions made by the Biden-Harris administration on day one. From reversing the previous administration’s successful border policies to encouraging illegal immigration through relaxed enforcement, the Biden-Harris administration has allowed the situation to spiral out of control. Rep. Rudy Yakym (R-IN) highlighted how the administration dismissed concerns about the surge of illegal immigrants as "cyclical or seasonal," even as the crisis grew exponentially.
But this crisis isn’t just about immigration—it’s about power. The Democrats’ opposition to common-sense measures like voter ID laws, as Rep. Tom McClintock (R-CA) argued, reveals a broader agenda: altering the electorate to secure political dominance. By incentivizing illegal immigration, Democrats are effectively importing a new voter base, undermining the legal process and disenfranchising American citizens.
A Call to Action: Time to Restore Sanity
The American people cannot afford to ignore what’s happening at our borders. The financial and human costs are too great. Rep. Lisa McClain (R-MI) drove the point home: while the federal government spent over $66 billion on illegal immigrants in 2023 (does not include state expenditures), it spent just $3 billion on homeless veterans. This is the kind of mismanagement that should outrage every American. Our veterans risked their lives for this country, only to be cast aside in favor of those who have entered the country illegally.
The good news, as Koehler pointed out, is that the power to change this lies in the hands of the voters. We can elect leaders who will secure our borders, restore law and order, and put American citizens first. From the Supreme Court to the U.S. Senate, and ultimately to the White House, every vote counts. It's time to elect leaders who will put an end to this madness and bring sanity back to U.S. immigration policy.
Conclusion: Immigration Reform is About Fairness
Opposition to illegal immigration is not opposition to immigration. America has always been a nation of immigrants, but legal immigration ensures that those coming into the country are properly vetted, can assimilate, and will not burden the very system they seek to join. The Biden-Harris policies have not only endangered national security, but they have also imposed an unfair financial burden on American taxpayers, and have done a disservice to legal immigrants who have waited patiently in line.
It’s time for a return to common sense—secure the borders, stop rewarding illegal immigration, and create a system that is fair to both U.S. citizens and immigrants alike. Anything less is a betrayal of our national values.
Disclaimer:
This article is not a criticism of immigration itself, but rather of illegal immigration. I fully support helping individuals, particularly those in dire need, but this must be done in a manner that prioritizes the safety, security, and economic stability of the United States (including the immigrants).
Every country has a responsibility to vet those who enter its borders to prevent crime, drug trafficking, and other threats. It is equally essential to protect the resources of American citizens who pay taxes and rely on state services. Just as the first rule of first aid is to avoid adding to the pile of casualties, a country must ensure it is prepared and capable before offering help. The concept is no different than putting on your own oxygen mask first on an airplane before assisting others—this is not selfishness or cruelty, but wisdom.
With millions of illegal immigrants entering the country, the strain on state and national resources is undeniable. While the federal government can print money, state governments must raise taxes or cut services to cope. The rapid influx of illegal immigration is akin to adding the population of several small states overnight, putting us on a dangerous trajectory that could overwhelm the system.
This discussion isn’t about refusing help—it’s about doing so in a responsible and sustainable way that ensures we can continue to offer support without compromising our nation's integrity. Lastly, it’s crucial to acknowledge the political manipulation at play, with illegal immigration being used to shift voting demographics and exploit cheap labor, creating a modern form of indentured servitude.
My intent is to bring attention to these issues, not to oppose those seeking a better life, but to advocate for the protection of both legal immigrants and U.S. citizens alike.
The Silent Invasion: Article
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