Ted Yoho Calls Out Obama and Eric Holder on Immigration

U.S. Rep. Ted Yoho, R-Fla., introduced the Border State Protection Act" on Tuesday. The freshman Republicans bill would let border state governors submit their governments expenses from dealing with the flood of illegal immigrants to the federal government for reimbursement. Yohos proposal also ensures the states flexibility to ensure the federal government doesnt sue them over their handling of illegal immigration.

The Obama administration has failed to achieve operational control of our southern border while simultaneously enticing individuals to make the dangerous journey to America, Yoho said on Tuesday, before taking aim at U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder for suing Arizona over its immigration law. We have also seen our very own attorney general sue a governor, who was trying to protect the states own citizens. Since when does the federal government sue a state for doing a job our government should be doing anyway?

The governors of our southwest border states are bearing the brunt of the current immigration crisis, and they are receiving little if no help from the federal government, Yoho added. Essentially, the administration has left them high and dry. I believe we should empower our governors to take the necessary steps to deal with this crisis, which is on their doorstep. The bill I have introduced will accomplish this goal.

Yoho noted that, under his bill, immigration costs incurred by the states would be shifted from funds going to the White House.

Due to the influx of people, the financial burden the states are incurring is substantial, Yoho said. Under my bill, they will be able to submit a report to Congress detailing these incurred costs. The total costs in these reports will primarily be repaid to the border states directly from the executive office of the president and funds appropriated to the president. The remaining amounts, if any, will be repaid from nonsecurity foreign aid to Mexico, El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala. Taxpayers should not have to bear the brunt of the presidents failed policies.

The crisis on our southern border is not only a humanitarian issue, it is a national security issue, as well, Yoho said in conclusion. We must gain operational control of our borders. The states in the southwest United States are being overwhelmed. If the governors want to fill the leadership void left by the administration, they should be able to do just that without being held to task by their own government.