Nashville Standard

House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Mark E. Green and Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement Chairman Michael Guest addressed the upcoming visit by Democrat members of the Committee to the Southwest border. This visit follows significant policy changes implemented by the Trump administration.

Chairman Green remarked on the timing of the Democrats' visit, stating, "It's no coincidence that Committee Democrats are choosing to visit the border after President Trump cleaned up the mess created by the Biden administration." Green expressed frustration with past inaction from Democrats when border crises were discussed, noting that no Democrat attended a significant field hearing in Pharr, Texas, in 2023.

He emphasized, "While the visit tomorrow comes years too late, I am grateful Democrats will be drawing attention to the law and order that the Trump administration has and will continue to restore." Green sees this opportunity as a chance for Democrats to observe improvements in border personnel morale.

Chairman Guest shared similar sentiments, adding, "For the last four years, we have encouraged our Democratic Committee members to see firsthand the chaos caused by President Joe Biden and his failed border policies."

President Trump has recently announced several border-related executive orders, including resuming migrant protection protocols and reestablishing border wall construction. These moves have reportedly led to a drop in illegal border crossings. In January 2025, Trump declared a national emergency at the southern border.

The security situation during the Biden-Harris administration drew criticism from Republican members, who linked the border conditions to increased illegal activity, including drug trafficking. An ongoing trial concerning the murder of Rachel Morin, which many attribute to border policy failures, underscores these concerns. Patty Morin, Rachel's mother, previously testified to the Committee, expressing concerns about unsafe borders and their impact on American communities.