BISMARCK – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer, member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), joined his colleagues in sending a letter to President Biden requesting more border wall construction along the U.S.-Mexico border and to resubmit the administration’s emergency supplemental request to include border wall funding. The letter follows the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) announcement, walking back a notice of determination of border wall construction along the U.S. southern border.

“While technology can be deployed as a useful tool on our southern border, it does not act as a physical deterrent that is required, both under the law, and in full reality of the crises that continues,” the senators wrote. “Despite the administration’s messaging on this issue, construction of a border wall is sorely needed as communities and elected officials across the country demand a more robust response to illegal immigration. We hope that this decision signals the beginning of a bipartisan consensus on the need for more physical deterrents on our southern border.”

In light of Secretary Mayorkas’ announcement, the senators request the administration ensure more land mass is covered by the border wall. Under the current proposal, only approximately 20 miles of border wall will be established. However, much more must be done to deter unfettered illegal immigration, which is continuing at record-breaking pace. 

“Your administration’s decision to continue construction of the Trump Administration’s physical border wall is a step in combatting “high illegal entry” rates. With that, more must be done. We urge you to expand border wall construction efforts along the U.S.-Mexico border. Further, we additionally urge you to resubmit your August 2023 supplemental funding request to Congress to specifically include additional resources for physical border deterrents, taking into account the need for more land mass to be covered,” the senators concluded.

Additional cosigners include U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), Rick Scott (R-FL), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Mike Braun (R-IN), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Katie Britt (R-AL), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Mitt Romney (R-UT), Steve Daines (R-MT), Deb Fischer (R-NE), and John Hoeven (R-ND).

Click here to read the letter.