North Michigan News

Rep. Jack Bergman has voiced his strong opposition to the Senate's immigration bill, stating that it does nothing to address the crisis at the southern border. In a statement, Bergman criticized the legislation, saying, "This legislation does nothing to stop the crisis at our southern border – rather, it normalizes and codifies it." He further expressed his concern over the allocation of funds, with only 17% of the $118 billion deal being allotted for border security.

Bergman highlighted several key issues with the bill, including the absence of critical asylum reforms and the granting of blanket catch-and-release authority to bureaucrats. He also criticized the bill for allowing the President to abuse parole and using taxpayer dollars to transport and house illegal immigrants in communities.

The representative pointed out that President Biden has failed to use his executive authority to address the border crisis, stating, "President Biden has refused to leverage his executive authority to end the border crisis he and his bureaucrats created." Bergman emphasized the importance of passing the Secure the Border Act (H.R. 2), which was introduced nine months ago in the House to implement necessary reforms and secure the border.

Bergman asserted that the Senate should prioritize passing H.R. 2 instead of "concocting half-baked deals" that give more authority to Secretary Mayorkas and enable President Biden's lack of leadership on the border. He concluded by calling the Senate's bill a "bipartisan sham" rather than a true bipartisan compromise.

This is not the first time Rep. Bergman has taken a stand on border security. He has introduced, cosponsored, and supported multiple pieces of legislation aimed at securing the border and strengthening national security. Bergman has also visited the southern border on several occasions to witness firsthand the challenges faced by Border Patrol agents.

Additionally, Bergman has been vocal about his concerns regarding President Biden's Catch and Release program. In 2022, he joined other House colleagues in sending a letter to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) demanding answers about the program's failures.

Furthermore, Bergman has introduced the VOICE Restoration Act, which aims to re-establish the VOICE Office within the Department of Homeland Security. The office, terminated by the Biden Administration, would ensure that victims of immigration crimes have access to the necessary resources and support.

In his ongoing efforts to prioritize the safety and well-being of American citizens, Bergman has supported bills such as the Secure the Border Act of 2023 and the No VA Resources for Illegal Aliens Act.

Most recently, Bergman joined Speaker Mike Johnson and other Republican colleagues at the southern border in Texas to meet with Border Patrol agents. Following the visit, he emphasized the need for the Senate to pass the Secure the Border Act immediately, noting that President Biden has failed to provide sufficient resources for the Border Patrol to effectively carry out their duties.

Rep. Bergman's statement reflects his unwavering commitment to securing the border and addressing the ongoing crisis. As the Senate considers the immigration bill, his opposition serves as a reminder of the importance of prioritizing border security and the well-being of American citizens.