Yavapai News

U.S. Rep. Elijah Crane (R-AZ) sharply criticized the Biden-Harris administration’s border policies, asserting they threaten national security and exacerbate child trafficking. Pledging ongoing opposition, Crane committed to advocating for stricter border measures and public safety reforms.

“The Harris-Biden Admin’s embrace of open borders harms our national security, fuels child sex-trafficking, and exposes innocent civilians to harm,” Crane said in a letter to InMaricopa News. “I'll continue to use my voice, vote, and platform to fight for real border security.”

In his letter, Crane criticizes the Biden administration's handling of border security, arguing that recent policy changes have worsened national security risks and contributed to rising drug trafficking, human trafficking, and illegal immigration. Crane contends that actions taken under President Biden and Vice President Harris, including the termination of policies like Title 42 and “Remain in Mexico,” have strained Customs and Border Protection (CBP) resources, making it easier for cartels to traffic fentanyl and human smugglers to operate unchecked. He also notes a significant increase in terrorists and military-age males entering the U.S. under what he calls an “open borders” policy that fails to prioritize public safety.

Crane contrasts this approach with recent efforts by House Republicans to pass H.R.2, a border security bill mandating the construction of a wall and ending “catch-and-release,” which was ultimately rejected by the Senate. He argues that a Senate-backed border security bill focuses more on funding for Ukraine than securing the U.S. border. Frustrated by the legislative gridlock, Crane highlights his bipartisan Subterranean Border Defense Act as one step toward addressing border-related threats. He concludes by emphasizing his dedication to fighting for stronger immigration enforcement to protect American citizens and prevent the proliferation of criminal networks along the southern border.

Earlier this year, Crane voted in favor of a resolution that condemned Vice President Harris for her failure to secure the U.S. border, as well as the border policies of the Biden-Harris Administration.

The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 1371, a resolution condemning the border policies of the Biden-Harris Administration, on July 25.

The final vote was 220 - 196, with six Democrats voting to condemn Vice President Kamala Harris for her "failure to secure the United States border" after being tasked with the duty by President Joe Biden at the beginning of their administration. 

On March 24, 2021, Biden announced his appointment of Harris “to lead efforts to stamp migration across the U.S.-Mexico border.” Since Harris’ appointment, the “surge” of illegal aliens crossing the U.S.-Mexico border has grown worse, with May 2024 being the 39th straight month where border crossings were higher than the highest month during former President Donald Trump's administration. 

“Since Joe Biden and Kamala Harris took office, there have been over 9.7 million illegal immigrant encounters nationwide,” the resolution said, along with “over 7.9 million illegal immigrant encounters at the United States southern border.” The U.S. Border Patrol has also reported over 2 million “gotaways” during the administration.

Because the Biden-Harris administration allowed illegal aliens into the country “who have murdered innocent Americans like Laken Riley, Jocelyn Nungary, Rachel Morin, and others throughout the United States” and their policies have cost the U.S. “approximately $150.7 billion each year,” the passed resolution “strongly condemns the Biden Administration and its Border Czar, Kamala Harris’s, failure to secure the United States border” and “firmly states that the continuation of the Biden, Harris border policies would be disastrous for both the United States and the American people.”

Crane also voted in favor of the Laken Riley Act. The bill, which passed the House in March 2024 with bipartisan support (251-170), mandates that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detain undocumented individuals who commit theft or burglary and empowers state attorneys general to take legal action against the federal government if immigration laws are not enforced.

Laken Riley was a student studying nursing at University of Georgia. She was found dead in May of 2023 after going jogging near campus. According to a CNN article, police were able to identify her murderer using security footage from around campus. Riley was a dean’s list student and a member of UGA’s Alpha Chi Omega sorority. She was set to graduate in 2025. 

Murder suspect Jose Antonio Ibarra entered the United States illegally in September of 2022, according to the NY Post.

Ibarra was arrested by the NYPD in September of 2023 for failing to protect his child by carrying them without a helmet on his scooter, however, he was released before ICE was able to step in. Yavapai News previously reported that Ibarra then separated from his wife, who claims they got married to improve their asylum applications and moved to Georgia with his brother. 

Eli Crane is currently serving in the U.S. Congress, representing Arizona’s 2nd district. He replaced previous U.S Congressman Tom O'Halleran in 2023. Crane, 43, was born in Tucson, Arizona in 1980. He currently lives in Oro Valley.