Security on the Border

After taking over as the top Democrat on the Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee in January, Claire visited the U.S.–Mexico border to meet with those on the frontlines and hear directly from them what they need from Congress.

The trip included:

  • A walking tour and Field Operations briefing at the Hidalgo Port of Entry in McAllen, TX

  • Air and marine operations overview followed by an aerial and boat tour of border

  • Briefings from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. Border Patrol, and other officials on border security and counter narcotics operations

  • Tour of the McAllen, TX Centralized Processing Center

  • Nighttime border observation with the U.S. Border Patrol

  • Meeting with community leaders, including McAllen Mayor Jim Darling

See photos from Claire's tour to the U.S.-Mexico Border on Flickr:

McCaskill Gets Firsthand Look at Security Efforts Along U.S.-Mexico Border

Border Tour Take-aways

After meeting with government officials, law enforcement, and community leaders on the border, Claire returned to the Senate determined to secure our borders in a way that is meaningful and effective.

  • Eliminating incentives for illegally crossing the border: During her trip, Claire saw a woman being deported for coming into the country illegally to work as a maid. She was a teacher in her own country, but could make more money travelling to America to work as a domestic employee. As the woman's documents were being revoked and her deportation processed, Claire asked what would happen to the employer who had knowingly hired an undocumented worker.

    "Nothing," was the answer she received.

    This is unacceptable. Enforcing immigration laws is a necessity, but so is holding our own citizens responsible for the role they play in incentivizing illegal border crossing. As long as Americans are willing to hire undocumented employees, men and women will travel to the United States for the opportunity to provide for their families.

    McCaskill Gets Firsthand Look at Security Efforts Along U.S.-Mexico Border
  • Curbing the drug trade and gang violence that leads to refugees: During Claire's trip, a little boy was found left at the border by smugglers. He was only 4-years-old. That a mother had to decide that the best thing she could do for her son was to send him on a dangerous journey to the U.S.-Mexico border is heartbreaking, and far too common occurence. Many immigrants apprehended by Customs and Border Protection at the border aren't caught trying to sneak in... they're turning themselves in and begging for sanctuary. Addressing the factors that lead to violence and instability in Central America--such as the opioid trade and ongoing gang wars--will help to stem the flow of refugees seeking safety from unimagineable danger.

    McCaskill Gets Firsthand Look at Security Efforts Along U.S.-Mexico Border

  • Giving law enforcement the support they actually need to protect the border: There are many places along the U.S.-Mexico border where a wall already exists, and there are portions of the border where additional physical barriers would be helpful. But there are also extensive sections of land along the border where a physical wall would be ineffective or implausible. Claire is committed to working with those on the front lines to determine what they need and how Congress can help them do their jobs and keep Americans safe--a sentiment shared by President Trump's Secretary of Homeland Security, General John Kelly. McCaskill Gets Firsthand Look at Security Efforts Along U.S.-Mexico Border

Social Media Overview

The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee documented Claire's trip to the border to give you a behind-the-scenes look at what she found:

McCaskill Gets Firsthand Look at Security Efforts Along U.S.-Mexico Border