On the recordJune 17, 2021
This week I received a letter and these photos, in fact, more photos than just this, from a constituent. The photos were taken on his ranch at 5 a.m. earlier this week from a game camera about 15 miles north of the border. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record a letter from Russell Johnson dated June 13, 2021, and I would like to read a few excerpts from the letter. ``When President Biden signed the proclamation ending border wall construction, we saw a dramatic increase in illegal foot traffic through our ranch.'' I can no longer allow my children to play outside unless an adult is with them to monitor the areas around them. People who have dropped out of groups crossing have stopped at my house wanting to use the phone, WiFi, and call their smuggler. This is very concerning, as often my wife is at home alone with our children, and I am hours away working on the ranch. These people are desperate. And it is only a matter of time before someone gets hurt. Now, Mr. Speaker, the border in New Mexico is not like the other borders in cities around El Paso or the ports of entry, here there is a huge difference. June 13, 2021. Representative Herrell, My name is Russell Johnson. I am a fourth-generation cattle rancher in southern Luna County. I ranch along side my wife, two children, my father, and my mother. Our ranch borders the international boundary with Mexico for a little over 8 miles. My family has ranched on this same piece of land since 1918.…





