GOP Rep. Roy urges lawmakers to defund DHS amid border crisis

Texas Republican Rep. Chip Roy is urging his congressional colleagues not to fund the Department of Homeland Security over the Biden administration's handling of the border.

"Simply put, no member of Congress should agree to fund a federal agency at war with his state and people," Roy wrote to his colleagues in a letter that Politico obtained. "We have a moral obligation to protect our states, our nation, and, importantly, the migrant children getting abused from the disaster transpiring at our southern border. No border security, no funding."

Roy opened the letter by lamenting the state of the Mexican frontier under the leadership of President Joe Biden and DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

"The State of Texas is bearing the brunt of a national crisis at our southern border directly resulting from the unlawful and irresponsible actions of President Biden and Secretary Mayorkas. Criminal cartels maintain operational control of the border," he wrote. "Migrants are dying on Texas ranches and along the Rio Grande. Little children are enslaved in the sex-trafficking trade – the tragic story for hundreds of thousands brought to light in the 'The Sound of Freedom.'"

"Fences are being cut, livestock are escaping, ranchers are threatened, and high-speed chases are tearing through small towns. Perhaps most deadly, dangerous fentanyl is pouring into our communities via an open border – empowering China and cartels while killing 200 Americans per day," he continued.

"No appropriation should fund DHS until the necessary steps are taken to secure the border," he warned, "such as: 1) signing ... [a] strong border security legislation, into law... 2) adopting policies that give law enforcement and/or our military the tools necessary to target dangerous cartels; 3) ensuring Secretary Mayorkas is removed from office, resigns, or is fired; and/or 4) reimbursing Texas the $10 billion – to date – for Operation Lonestar and related border security efforts..."

Funding for the DHS is slated to expire on September 30, Roy noted. He further contended that Congress ought not approve a continuing resolution to extend existing funding levels amid further debate.

Roy is not the only Republican to call for the impeachment of Mayorkas amid frustrations over his handling of migration and border security, though he appears to be the first to suggest such a measure to force a policy change on the issue.

President Joe Biden currently enjoys a 34.6% approval rating on immigration, according to the RealClearPolitics polling average. A further 59.0% disapprove of his handling of the issue.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on Twitter.