Rep. Jason T. Smith, U.S. Representative for Missouri's 8th District | Official Website
Rep. Jason T. Smith, U.S. Representative for Missouri's 8th District | Official Website
On September 22, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department Officer David Lee died after being struck by a car driven by an intoxicated illegal immigrant who was speeding and without a license. Officer Lee was a father, husband, and dedicated community protector.
"This tragedy never should have happened," the statement reads. The driver had a criminal record, including probation for a 2020 DWI case and felony domestic assault conviction. "He should have been deported for committing these crimes; instead, he was given a slap on the wrist and released on bond."
The statement highlights other incidents involving illegal immigrants. In March, an illegal immigrant stabbed two people at a laundromat in St. Louis. In February, 22-year-old Laken Riley was murdered by a Venezuelan national paroled into the country in fall 2022. In June, 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray was murdered by two Venezuelans who were caught illegally entering the country then released.
These incidents are attributed to what is described as the Biden-Harris administration’s "open border agenda." The statement criticizes the administration for ending construction on former President Donald Trump’s border wall and reinstating catch-and-release policies.
"For 40 consecutive months, illegal immigrant crossings were higher under this administration than the highest month under Trump," it states. Nearly 400 suspected terrorists have been caught crossing borders illegally during this period, with at least 99 released into the country.
On September 27, Border Czar Kamala Harris made her second trip to the border, which is described as "nothing more than a photo-op." The New York Post reported that federal agents sanitized the area to hide the crisis's severity from cameras during her first visit.
The statement calls for reinstating Trump's immigration policies to address public safety and national security issues related to border chaos.
"I will continue pushing this administration to do what’s right and bring back Trump’s tough immigration agenda," it concludes.
Alerts Sign-up