Ander Crenshaw Blames Obama for Immigration Crisis

On Tuesday night, U.S. Rep. Ander Crenshaw, who sits on the House State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee, weighed in on President Barack Obamas request for $4.3 billion to provide humanitarian aid for immigrants crossing the border and for aiding wildfire operations.

Crenshaw did not close the door on supporting Obamas request, saying the committee should review his proposals. But Crenshaw said the blame for the increase of illegal immigrants should fall on Obama.

President Obama continues to ignore immigration law and circumvent Congress, Crenshaw said. The result: a humanitarian and national security crisis of dire proportions at our Southwestern border. Encouraged by the dangerous incentives and false hopes of the administrations policies, thousands of children and families are placing themselves in harms way to enter our country illegally.

The Appropriations Committee will review each piece of the emergency funding request to determine the best application of taxpayer dollars to address this dire situation, Crenshaw added. As it does, the president must commit himself to working with Congress, not around it, to stem the tide of a crisis that swells with every passing day. In a June 25 letter to him, I joined my colleagues in demanding that he stop bypassing Congress and put an end to his failed policies. I hope he takes us seriously.

Moreover, the surge at our border is proof that it is not secure, and, in my book, that is the first correction that must be made, Crenshaw concluded. As we work to stop illegal immigration, let me be crystal clear that I stand 100 percent opposed to placing those who reside in our country illegally on an automatic path to citizenship.