A resolution commending the officers and personnel of U.S. Customs and Border Protection for their work during the crisis at the Southern border.

III 116TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION S. RES. 280 Commending the officers and personnel of U.S. Customs and Border Protection for their work during the crisis at the Southern border. IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES JULY 23, 2019 Mr. GRAHAM (for himself, Mr. GRASSLEY, Mr. CORNYN, Mr. LEE, Mr. CRUZ, Mr. SASSE, Mr. HAWLEY, Mr. TILLIS, Ms. ERNST, Mr. CRAPO, Mr. KEN- NEDY, and Mrs. BLACKBURN) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs RESOLUTION Commending the officers and personnel of U.S. Customs and Border Protection for their work during the crisis at the Southern border. Whereas U.S. Customs and Border Protection (referred to in this preamble as ‘‘CBP’’) is charged with protecting the borders of the United States and facilitating travel and trade; Whereas the Southern border of the United States is experi- encing unprecedented numbers of vulnerable individuals attempting to enter the country; Whereas, in June 2019, 104,344 individuals were appre- hended at the Southern border, which is an increase of more than 140 percent, as compared to June 2018; VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:39 Jul 24, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR280.IS SR280 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS 2 •SRES 280 IS Whereas, as of June 2019, the number of individuals appre- hended or determined to be inadmissible by CBP at the Southern border in fiscal year 2019 is 780,638, already surpassing the fiscal year 2014 total of 569,287, which was the highest such number in the preceding 5 years; Whereas the Homeland Security Advisory Council expects Southwest border migration numbers to approach or ex- ceed 1,000,000 individuals in fiscal year 2019 unless im- mediate action is taken; Whereas, historically, the majority of individuals arriving at the Southern border have been single adult males from Mexico, but by May 2019, 72 percent of all border en- forcement actions were associated with unaccompanied children and family units; Whereas, due to the constant and increasing flow of migrants crossing the Southern border between ports of entry, fi- nancial and human resources are being diverted from the security and law enforcement duties of CBP, resulting in— (1) fewer seizures of narcotics and illicit currency; and (2) increased wait times at ports of entry, leading to warnings of possible produce shortages and interruptions in supply chains; Whereas more than 40 percent of CBP resources are cur- rently being absorbed by the humanitarian crisis at the Southern border; Whereas the final emergency interim report published by the Homeland Security Advisory Council on April 16, 2019, notes that a substantial number of individuals who are apprehended by CBP require significant personal and VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:39 Jul 24, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR280.IS SR280 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS 3 •SRES 280 IS medical care that exceeds the ability and capacity of CBP, despite creative and humane attempts by CBP to care for such individuals in CBP custody; Whereas CBP officers and personnel have raised concerns that overcrowding poses immediate risks to— (1) the health and safety of the migrants; and (2) CBP officers; Whereas CBP officers are experiencing both physical illness and severe mental and emotional distress as a result of the crisis at the Southern border; Whereas, in May 2019, the Commissioner of CBP requested an additional $2,100,000 for the Employee Assistance Program of CBP in order to offer additional counseling services to CBP officers and personnel to respond to ‘‘un- anticipated critical incidents and other emerging crises, such as the unexpected response required for migrant caravans, employee suicides, and the need for a financial wellness program’’; and Whereas, in the face of the most difficult circumstances, CBP officers and personnel continue— (1) to work undaunted to protect the Southern bor- der; and (2) to care for the migrants in CBP custody: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate— 1 (1) commends the men and women of U.S. Cus- 2 toms and Border Protection, including Border Pa- 3 trol personnel, Office of Field Operations personnel, 4 Air and Marine Operations personnel, Office of 5 Trade personnel, and all support personnel and their 6 VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:39 Jul 24, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\SR280.IS SR280 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS 4 •SRES 280 IS allies for their continued honorable service during 1 the challenging humanitarian crisis at the Southern 2 border; and 3 (2) calls on Congress to pass legislation to sup- 4 port U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers 5 and to manage the increasing flow of migrants at- 6 tempting to enter the United States. 7 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:39 Jul 24, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\SR280.IS SR280 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS