WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01) led a  group of 39 House Republican colleagues in sending a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, expressing deep concerns about the status of the southern border. 

The letter comes after Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) announced on Monday that it would suspend rail operations through international rail crossings in Eagle Pass, Texas, and El Paso, Texas, citing the surge of migrants being illegally smuggled from Mexico into the United States via freight trains. 

“Hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of consumer goods and agricultural commodities move through these two rail crossings daily. Now, because of a border crisis of the President’s own making, nearly half of all rail traffic between the U.S. and Mexico is at a complete standstill,” said Rep. Finstad.  “I’m proud to lead my colleagues in calling on Secretary Mayorkas to take immediate action to secure the border and reopen these rail crossings that are integral to our country’s supply chain.” 

In part, the letter reads: 

“As you know, our Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) agents are overrun and outmanned due to the open border policies your Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has implemented. These policies have incentivized migrants, including criminals, to cross the U.S.-Mexico border with little to no resistance […] Your policies at the southern border have not only affected everyday Americans through crime and other threats to our national security but have also begun to threaten some of our most important industries. 

“…The real-world consequences from these delays will soon come to light and this suspension will certainly lead to delays in the movement of goods, especially agricultural products, to and from households, businesses, and farms across the country. 

“…A safe and secure southern border from the onset would have avoided a closure of this magnitude, and it is past time you take the steps needed to secure our border that should have been taken long ago.” 

“As federal officials continue to address this unprecedented humanitarian crisis, we must strike the right balance that allows freight to move north and south across the border safely and securely,” said Association of American Railroads President and CEO Ian Jefferies. “To be clear, every rail car is thoroughly inspected in partnership with CBP and migrants are not using these international rail crossings to enter the United States. We must guard our supply chain from further disruption and get these bridges reopened today.”

“As a top trade partner for the United States in a variety of categories, including agriculture products, there is a pressing need to re-open rail lines to Mexico. Access to markets on both sides of the border is important for the livelihoods of farmers and ranchers not only in Minnesota but across the nation.” – Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation

Cosigners of the letter include Representatives Mark Alford, Kelly Armstrong, Don Bacon, Stephanie Bice, Mike Bost, Eric Burlison, James Comer, Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Eric Crawford, Ron Estes, Randy Feenstra, Michelle Fischbach, Scott Fitzgerald, Mike Flood, Mike Gallagher, Lance Gooden, Clay Higgins, Ashley Hinson, Ronny Jackson, Dusty Johnson, Darin LaHood, Jake LaTurner, Tracey Mann, Troy Nehls, August Pfluger, John Rose, Matthew Rosendale, Keith Self, Adrian Smith, Pete Stauber, Bryan Steil, Claudia Tenney, Beth Van Duyne, Derrick Van Orden, Ann Wagner, Randy Weber, Bruce Westerman, Steve Womack, and Rudy Yakym.