VIEWPOINT: An eye-opening trip to the border

Guest column co-authored by Senate Majority Leader Casey Crabtree, House Majority Leader Will Mortenson and Rep. Tony Venhuizen

Senator Casey Crabtree talks with Reps. Tony Venhuizen and Will Mortenson along the US-Mexico border. (Austin Goss/The Dakota Scout)

Anyone who has watched any cable news understands that the southern border is a hot topic. Talking heads blame and rage over America’s border policy (or lack thereof). Given the hot-button politics, we thought it was important to gather facts, whether they supported our position or not, and to get a first-hand look at the situation on our southern border. 

Along with business and community leaders from across the state, we traveled to McAllen, Texas, to tour the border. We heard from a landowner whose land abuts the Rio Grande River. He showed us the trails used by migrants leading to the river. He told us terrifying accounts of run-ins with the cartels and the daily traffic across his property. 

We visited a section of the recently-constructed border wall. There was a 60-yard gap in it. When the Biden Administration began, they halted all construction, full stop. Now, there is an inexplicable and embarrassing patch where the wall simply does not exist. It is apparent leaving this gap had a lot more to do with politics than anything approaching effectiveness or common sense. 

VIEWPOINT: Don't take your independence for granted