Homeland Security shutdown is a national security threat | Opinion

For nearly a month, Congressional Democrats have kept the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) partially shut down. At a time when threats against the United States are increasing, this political stunt is reckless.

Iran and its terrorist proxies are openly threatening retaliation against the United States. President Donald Trump recently stated that Iran is attempting to activate sleeper cells here at home.

The danger we face today did not appear overnight. It is the result of four years of disastrous border policies under the Biden Administration.

For years, the southern border was effectively wide open. Millions of illegal aliens entered the United States during that time unchecked and with no proper vetting process. It is estimated that approximately two million known “gotaways” entered the United States, many of whom came from countries outside of Latin America. These are individuals detected illegally crossing the border who evaded capture by Border Patrol.

Equally troubling, nearly 400 people on the terrorist watchlist were caught trying to cross the border illegally during those four years. The harsh reality is that these figures reflect only the individuals we are aware of.

It's impossible to know intentions of illegal entrants

When millions of people cross into our country illegally, it becomes impossible to know exactly who is entering the United States or what their intentions may be.

This is the situation the Trump Administration inherited.

Since taking office, President Trump has taken decisive action to restore order at the border. Enforcement has been strengthened, criminal illegal aliens are being deported, and the administration has dramatically reduced illegal crossings.

For nine straight months, there have been zero releases at the border.

This progress is significant, but it does not immediately erase the damage caused by years of open border policies. Millions of individuals who entered illegally during the Biden Administration remain inside the United States today.

Some are violent criminals. Some are members of dangerous gangs such as MS-13 and Tren de Aragua. Others may have ties to terrorist organizations.

It only takes one to carry out a deadly attack.

That is why weakening our homeland security infrastructure right now is so irresponsible.

Yet Democrats in Congress are doing exactly that.

Dems blocked legislation to keep DHS fully operational

Despite previously agreeing to a bipartisan and bicameral deal to fund the Department of Homeland Security through the end of the fiscal year, Democrats suddenly reversed course and blocked the legislation needed to keep the department fully operational.

On March 5, 209 House Democrats voted against funding DHS for the second time. The same day, 43 Senate Democrats voted against funding DHS for the third time since this shutdown began.

The irony of these no votes? DHS plays a vital role in protecting the American homeland. DHS helps secure our airports, responds to disasters, defends our networks against cyberattacks, and helps prevent terrorist plots.

America’s adversaries are watching. Any lapse in our defense capabilities here at home creates an opportunity.

I have voted to fund DHS every time the bill has come to the floor, because protecting the American people should never be a partisan issue.

Unfortunately, Congressional Democrats have chosen a different path. Instead of restoring funding for the agency tasked with defending the homeland, they are doubling down and prolonging a shutdown that weakens our national security.

Why? To protect illegal aliens.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries specifically stated, “We want an explicit prohibition that ICE can go nowhere near any polling sites in the United States of America. It’s one of our demands, we’re not gonna bend on it.”

Truly unbelievable. Why would ICE need to be kept away from polling sites if illegal aliens are not voting in our elections? I think Minority Leader Jeffries’ statement speaks for itself about where Congressional Democrats’ priorities lie and why they are so against the Save America Act, legislation that would require voter ID in federal elections.

This shutdown could end immediately if Congressional Democrats joined Congressional Republicans to fully fund the Department of Homeland Security. The safety of the American people should always come first.

U.S. Rep. Scott Fitzgerald represents Wisconsin's 5th Congressional District.