Two years ago, I visited the southern border twice—first in Arizona, then in Texas. I saw with my own eyes how wide open it was. The group I traveled with met overworked and understaffed Border Patrol agents who told us they were hindered by the Biden administration’s policies. Thousands of people poured over the border without vetting, their intentions unknown.
At the Rio Grande, I saw the shoreline dotted with green rafts used to cross the river. Cartel members watched us from the other side, close enough to make eye contact.
This year, I was invited back to attend Border School, a program sponsored by the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR). With only a limited number of slots available, Rep. Jordan Ulery and I were the only participants from New Hampshire.
Over a day and a half, we attended briefings on human trafficking, drug smuggling, and the current state of the border compared to two years ago. Our group included legislators, sheriffs, law enforcement officers, subject-matter experts, and Border Patrol agents. Rep. Ulery and I recorded short interviews with some presenters and shared them on social media.
We also toured the Rio Grande. After a safety briefing on what to do if we fell in the river, we boarded boats to patrol the waters dividing the U.S. from Mexico. Last time, I rode with the Marine patrol. This year, I went with a Border Patrol agent. Again, we saw cartel scouts, some in full face masks and armed.
Since my last trip, one monumental change has occurred: a presidential election. Border Patrol agents now say they can finally do their jobs.
Two years ago, agents spent much of their time caring for children smuggled across by coyotes. Ben Bergquam, host of
“Law and Border,” told us the cartels often lied to families to convince them to send their children north. When I asked agents back then what the hardest part of their job was, they teared up and said, “The children.” Their compassion was real, but while agents cared for kids, the number of “gotaways” surged by the thousands.
During COVID, the flow of illegal crossings never let up. Many migrants were sick, and with only one or two agents on duty, “processing” centers were moved outdoors under the international bridge. Processing often lasted no more than 30 seconds per person before migrants were sent to tent cities to await transfer by Catholic Charities to destinations across the country.
On this year’s trip, I noticed the fences and temporary housing were gone. Border crossings have plummeted to about 50 a day on average, down from 800 daily arrests before President Trump returned to the White House. Under the Biden administration, 33,000 unvetted people were released into the U.S. every month. At Eagle Pass alone, there were 500 gotaways a day.
Cartels still use drones to monitor the border, but agents are using new technology to counter them. I tested an anti-drone gun that disables or redirects drones electronically. The price tag: $17,000. Patrol trucks are also equipped with electronic systems that can force drones to land. Other static machines, costing $400,000 apiece, can jam bomb triggers.
President Trump kept his promise to secure the border, but executive orders aren’t enough. Congress must codify these policies into law.
Too many voters only show up every four years for presidential elections, ignoring critical midterms. That must change in 2026.
Next year marks America’s 250th anniversary, and we must not forget how close the country came to losing its way under Biden’s open-border policies. Sanctuary cities still harbor drug and human traffickers. Children are exploited for slave labor or sex trafficking. It is evil.
In the New Hampshire General Court, I have repeatedly sponsored anti-sanctuary legislation, only to see it defeated by Democrats and libertarian-leaning Republicans. This year, Rep. Joe Sweeney introduced the bill, and I testified in support. The 169th legislature finally passed anti-sanctuary legislation, and Gov. Kelly Ayotte signed it into law.
Where do we go from here? Voter apathy is not an option. We must win more seats in Congress and in our state legislatures.
In just over a year, Americans will face a choice: stay on the pro-America path or return to the disastrous policies of the far left. As former Texas Gov. Rick Perry said, “Defending the border is not a political option. It is a constitutional obligation.”
The Trump administration’s border policies prove that when the federal government disincentivizes illegal immigration, fewer people attempt it. States and localities must follow the same principle.
The stakes in next year’s midterms cannot be overstated. Do not wait until 2028 to vote. Stay informed, mark your calendars, and turn out in November 2026!
