Rep. Anthony D’Esposito (R-NY), Chairman of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology, delivered a scathing critique of the Biden Administration’s border policies during a hearing Tuesday.
The hearing, titled “Given the Green Light: Open Border Policies and Threats to Law Enforcement,” focused on the impact of border enforcement failures on public safety and law enforcement nationwide.
In his opening statement, D’Esposito, a retired NYPD detective, highlighted the heightened risks facing law enforcement due to what he described as “open borders, anti-enforcement policies” championed by President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. He expressed deep concern over criminal organizations like Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua (TdA), which he said have exploited border chaos to establish trafficking and smuggling networks in the United States.
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D’Esposito pointed to reports that TdA, described as “MS-13 on steroids,” had issued a “green light” to attack U.S. law enforcement. He recounted how the gang, originally formed in Venezuelan prisons, has expanded its operations into Texas, Colorado, and New York, bringing a surge in crime.
“From shooting at two NYPD police officers at a traffic stop to retail theft and moped robberies, Tren de Aragua has overwhelmed law enforcement,” D’Esposito said. He criticized sanctuary city policies and the administration’s handling of immigration, which he argued incentivize violent criminals to enter and operate in the U.S.
The subcommittee chair noted that assaults on law enforcement officers reached a 10-year high last year. He cited a specific incident where two NYPD officers were attacked near a migrant shelter in Times Square. The suspects were later released without bail by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, a move that drew criticism from New York Governor Kathy Hochul.
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“Our nation’s law enforcement agencies are strained and overwhelmed due to increasing 911 calls and demands related to the influx of migrants,” D’Esposito said. “We should be securing the Southwest Border, enforcing our nation’s laws, and making our police officers’ jobs easier, not more difficult.”
D’Esposito called for immediate action to address what he described as a crisis. “As Members of this committee, we need to prioritize the safety of those who put their lives on the line for ours,” he said, expressing gratitude to the witnesses who testified at the hearing.
The hearing comes as law enforcement agencies nationwide grapple with the consequences of increased migration, including criminal activity and resource strain. D’Esposito vowed to continue advocating for policies that support law enforcement and secure the border, calling his role as subcommittee chair “an honor.”
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The Biden Administration and its supporters argue that comprehensive immigration reform, including pathways to citizenship, would better address border issues and reduce the strain on law enforcement. However, the sharp divide between Republicans and Democrats on immigration policy ensures the debate will remain contentious in the coming legislative sessions.
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