Rep. Gabe Vasquez Questions DOD's Role in Immigration Enforcement and Fentanyl Countermeasures

DOD's Counter-Drug Efforts

• 🎯 Representative Gabe Vasquez, representing New Mexico's second district, highlights the Department of Defense's (DOD) historical role in counter-drug operations through Joint Task Force North.
• 💡 Vasquez secured bipartisan language in the FY22 NDAA to make countering drugs entering the U.S. the DOD's top counter-drug priority.
• 📈 Admiral Alvin Holsey notes a significant drop in fentanyl numbers over the last two months due to border closures and maritime interdictions, attributing this to a new joint intelligence task force.
• ⚠️ The Admiral also mentions that cocaine continues to flow into the U.S. at record pace, and more assets are needed to combat it effectively.

Concerns Over Immigration Enforcement

• 🏛️ Vasquez expresses serious concerns about a recent shift in DOD's posture regarding immigration enforcement, stating it is the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) job.
• ⚔️ He believes the DOD must remain focused on preparing for war and is concerned about the diversion of precious resources to immigration enforcement.
• 📍 Vasquez references reports of plans to detain and process immigrants at installations like Fort Bliss and Kirtland Air Force Base.

Resource Allocation and Priorities

• 💰 Vasquez questions Mr. Leonardo about plans to house individuals or families at Kirtland or Fort Bliss, emphasizing that expenditures on migrant detention detract from the critical mission of countering fentanyl traffic.
• 🇺🇸 He advocates for these millions of dollars to be used to protect Americans by stopping the flow of fentanyl.