House Republicans have launched a new caucus to respond to a growing number of illegal immigrant arrests along the U.S.-Canada border .
Nearly 30 House Republicans signed on Tuesday to the Northern Border Security Caucus, which is being co-led by House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik (NY), Rep. Ryan Zinke (MT), and Rep. Mike Kelly (PA).
MS-13 GANG MURDER OF AUTISTIC MARYLAND WOMAN SPARKS INVESTIGATION INTO BIDEN ADMINISTRATION“Joe Biden’s failure to secure the Southern Border has brought his crisis home to my district along the Northern Border. This can no longer be ignored, and I am proud to join the Northern Border Security Caucus to hold the Biden Administration accountable for the illegal immigrants and drugs he has allowed to pour into Upstate communities,” Stefanik said in a statement to the Washington Examiner.
The number of immigrants arrested after illegally crossing the Canadian border into parts of New England jumped in January to levels never seen before — and during the most dangerous time of year.
Border Patrol agents stationed across the northernmost part of upstate New York , Vermont , and New Hampshire apprehended 367 noncitizens who crossed the northern border last month. The 367 figure is more than the previous 12 Januarys combined: 344.
Brandon Budlong, local president of the National Border Patrol Council's Buffalo region, said fewer agents are on patrol because some have been pulled from the 5,500-mile-long coastal and land border with Canada to help out at the 2,000-mile southern border.
"Illegal immigration follows the path of least resistance, and for many, that is the northern border," Budlong said during a press conference with the caucus outside the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday afternoon.
Mexican citizens are not required to obtain a normal visa to enter Canada and complete a simpler process, making it possible for immigrants with cash to fly north and then head into the United States. Once in Canada, some immigrants choose to attempt entering the U.S. through a port of entry. Immigrants denied entry at the ports could attempt to cross illegally between those ports — where the Border Patrol agents patrol, Budlong said.
Stefanik said residents in her district have reported illegal immigrants walking through their property as they pass over from Canada.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER"This is something that people in my district would have never even dreamed would happen, and it's happening today because of Joe Biden's border crisis," Stefanik said.