Coconino News

In a recent correspondence to President Biden, Representative Ben Toma (R-Ariz.) along with other Arizona House Republicans expressed their concerns over the current border control policies. The lawmakers also voiced their disapproval of the Biden Administration's decision to close the Lukeville port of entry.

Toma stated, "Looking at those crossing the border in droves, they are largely military-aged men, not families in search of a better life as Democrats continually claim". He further added, "Your open-border approach to immigration is a national threat that will have disastrous impacts on the entire country."

Alongside Toma, 31 other House Republicans co-authored the letter to the President. This group included Representatives Quang Nguyen (R-Ariz.), Alexander Kolodin (R-Ariz.), Joseph Chaplik (R-Ariz.), David Cook (R-Ariz.), Matt Gress (R-Ariz.), among others. In their letter, they highlighted issues such as a 40% increase in southwest border encounters since 2021 and nearly 200 attempts by migrants on the terrorist watch list to cross. They also pointed out apprehension of Chinese nationals amid US-China tensions and criticized the recent closure of the Lukeville Port of Entry.

According to the letter penned by these lawmakers, "The decision to close the Lukeville Port of Entry as a solution to the crisis you created is unacceptable and must be reversed immediately." They continued by saying, "It is no secret why the border is overwhelmed. Your anti-American open-border policy sent a message to the world: that there will be no consequences for illegal immigration. The real solution is simple. Reverse your policy and put a halt to the wide-open door for so-called 'asylum-seekers'."

Lukeville, one of the busiest ports, was closed at the beginning of December in response to an increase in illegal migrant crossings. The duration of this closure has not been officially announced yet, causing dissatisfaction among Arizona lawmakers with the Biden Administration's decision. According to an article from the Associated Press, this closure is negatively impacting businesses and individuals as legal cross-border activities like shopping, dining, and school commutes for some Mexican children have been disrupted.

The lawmakers further wrote in their letter, "Border states in particular are significantly harmed by your administration’s failed policies every day. Our law enforcement agencies at the border are overextended. Healthcare providers in border communities are overworked to such an extent that they are struggling to provide essential services to the residents of their community in need of care. Your decision to close the Lukeville Port of Entry is just the latest in a long stream of irresponsible policies from your administration that fail to keep Arizona citizens, and all Americans, safe from criminal activity at the border."

Toma, who currently represents District 27, is seeking election for Arizona's 8th Congressional District. He assumed his role as state House Majority Leader in 2021 and became State Speaker of the House in 2023. Toma was born in Romania and moved to the United States in 1987. He graduated with a B.A. in Integrative Studies from Arizona State University West in 2003 and has held roles such as Business Performance Manager and Manager of Portfolio Analytics at American Express, according to Ballotpedia.