HARRISBURG – To reduce crime and the influx of serious drugs into the United States, Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33) is calling on Gov. Josh Shapiro to deploy the Pennsylvania National Guard to assist at the southern border.
Last summer, the Pennsylvania Senate passed Senate Resolution 251, which called for the Pennsylvania National Guard to deploy to Texas to assist with border security.
“While securing our borders and protecting Pennsylvanians from human trafficking, crime and fentanyl, should be a bipartisan priority, Gov. Josh Shapiro and Senate Democrats dismissed this resolution as ‘political theater.’ But the facts tell a different story,” Mastriano said.
According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, more than seven million illegal immigrants have crossed the southern border since January 2021, with the majority entering through Texas. To put that into perspective, that’s more than the total population of at least 22 individual states.
“History has shown us that we can combat this problematic situation with the right action. When Texas Gov. Greg Abbott launched Operation Lone Star in 2021, the deployment of the Texas National Guard and Texas Department of Public Safety had impressive results in repelling illegal crossings, arresting human smugglers and seizing deadly drugs,” Mastriano said.
More than 500,000 illegals have been apprehended, 468 million lethal doses of fentanyl were seized and 40,000 criminal arrests were made.
As fentanyl devastates Pennsylvania communities and illegals continue to commit serious crimes against residents, the state’s taxpayers are footing the bill. A 2023 report from the Federation for American Immigration Reform estimated that 251,000 illegals reside in Pennsylvania, costing taxpayers more than $1.6 billion annually – an average of $318 per household.
“Since his inauguration this month, President Donald Trump recognized the need for border security and took action. We need that same leadership from elected officials in Pennsylvania,” Mastriano said. “Gov. Shapiro expressed his willingness to work with President Trump on issues of mutual concern. This is the perfect opportunity for him to show leadership by deploying the PA National Guard to protect Pennsylvanians and contribute to the security of our nation.”
CONTACT: Don Beishl, 717-787-6701