Rep. Gonzales Questions DHS Secretary on State Reimbursement for Border Security

State Reimbursement for Border Security

• 📌 Rep. Tony Gonzales questioned DHS Secretary Kristi Noem regarding the reimbursement of states, particularly Texas, for funding allocated to federal border security measures during the Biden administration.
• 💡 Secretary Noem acknowledged the significant partnership with Texas and other states, noting that Texas "filled the gap" when the Biden administration did not secure the border.
• 💰 While no definitive decisions have been made on reimbursement, Noem stated it's an ongoing conversation, especially concerning new agreements like the 287G program, and that meeting states' financial needs is important.
• 🗣️ Gonzales emphasized that many states have been on their own financially for the past four years and that federal reimbursement is a "great opportunity."

Criminal Aliens and Transparency

• ⚠️ Gonzales inquired about updated numbers on convicted criminal illegal aliens in the country, referencing a previous response indicating 662,566 non-citizens with criminal histories on ICE's docket.
• 📈 Secretary Noem stated they believe the number is higher and are continuing an assessment, noting that crimes are being perpetuated by individuals whose presence was not previously known.
• 🚔 She highlighted that under the current administration, over 250 known terrorists and over 65,000 criminal aliens have been arrested and are being held accountable.
• ⚖️ Noem also pointed out that individuals in the country illegally are breaking the law and facing consequences, with many facing jail time before potential return to their home countries.
• 🔍 Gonzales urged for transparency from the administration regarding the data and facts on the ground, contrasting it with what he described as the previous administration's manipulation of information.

Interior Checkpoints and Infrastructure

• 🚧 Gonzales highlighted the importance of interior checkpoints, both at the southern and northern borders, and mentioned ongoing work through reconciliation for infrastructure, specifically checkpoints.
• 📍 He flagged the checkpoint in Eagle Pass as outdated given the volume of traffic and expressed a desire to work on improving such infrastructure.