The American Farm Bureau Federation recently joined all 50 state Farm Bureaus and Puerto Rico Farm Bureau in sending a letter urging the Biden administration to address the surge of undocumented immigrants entering the United States. The letter went to Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland as well as Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

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“The four border states put it together, California, Arizona, New Mexico, and us. We just pointed out the stuff that's happening, there's damage to crops, damage to fences and other types of things," said Russell Boening, President of the Texas Farm Bureau. "There are safety issues: maybe you have children that play outside or even folks that work outside. We basically just shared our concerns that we're hearing from our members and asking for some assistance.”

The letter also states human smugglers known as “Coyotes” are reaping a windfall from leaving people destitute. Boening said with all 50 states and Puerto Rico signing the letter, D.C. should understand the gravity of the situation.

“We're very grateful for that, and I think it sends a message that people recognize there's a problem. I think people recognize that it's not a partisan issue, it's a humanitarian issue. Just the fact that all the Farm Bureau signed on and we're very grateful for that, and I think everybody recognizes that it is a crisis."

Boening noted local and state law enforcement officials don’t have the resources to deal with the surge, and it’s time for Washington, D.C., to address the crisis.

“We're hearing from our local and state law enforcement that their resources are being basically overwhelmed, because they're dealing with this and not being able to do your regular law enforcement work. The administration just needs to address it, and Congress needs to work with them. There are different ways of doing it. What's happening right now is not working.”

Click Here to read the entire letter.

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