But the question remains do we want to finally overcome our border challenges or do we want to use this issue for partisan attacks?

I hope that going forward, we will not lose sight of the fact that the intelligence community has been clear that domestic extremism is one of our other most serious threats.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I ask unanimous consent to submit statements from the First Focus campaign for children, Human Rights First, and Coalition for Human Immigrant Rights.

The United States of America has a responsibility to keep our promise to those like Mr. Safi, who bravely helped American soldiers in their time of need, and help him in his time of need as he seeks asylum in the United States.

Stand firm against anti-immigrant rhetoric and efforts, and firmly reject attempts to exploit Congressional hearings.

We owe it to the American people to focus on all of the threats to the homeland, including those at the Southern Border.

However, I would note that while Republicans are using this hearing to criticize Secretary Mayorkas for the challenges at our border... the majority has offered no solutions of its own.

In 2021, there were 299 fentanyl overdose deaths in my State of Oklahoma.

The gentleman from Texas, Mr. Gonzalez, a Republican member of this panel, called the bill anti-American and not Christian, and I agree.

Turning our backs on asylees would be turning our backs on who we are as a country.

We know that last year, 13,000 pounds, 13,000 pounds of fentanyl was seized in 2023.

Congressional Democrats understand the complex reasons that immigrants seek to come to the United States and are prepared to work with Republicans to create a plan that both ensures the security of our borders and expands legal pathways…

Unfortunately, I am concerned that this hearing won't help us move toward a solution for better border management, but rather may be used by some as a platform for divisive rhetoric and anti-immigrant fearmongering.

That is enough to kill all the residents of Oklahoma City, 650,000 people.

The fact is Democrats are focused on investing in border staffing, infrastructure, and technology, especially at ports of entry.

the gentleman from Texas, Mr. Gonzalez, a Republican Member of this panel who represents a border district, called the bill 'anti-American' and 'not Christian'--and I agree.

However, the evidence does not support the Republican theory that immigrants are responsible for trafficking fentanyl into the United States.

fixing our broken immigration system will not only help migrants fleeing persecution and poverty, but it will also help us manage our border human smuggling, put them out of business, free law enforcement to focus on drug smugglers, and…