III 

116TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 280 

Commending the officers and personnel of U.S. Customs and Border 

Protection for their work during the crisis at the Southern border. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

JULY 23, 2019 

Mr. GRAHAM (for himself, Mr. GRASSLEY, Mr. CORNYN, Mr. LEE, Mr. CRUZ, 

Mr. SASSE, Mr. HAWLEY, Mr. TILLIS, Ms. ERNST, Mr. CRAPO, Mr. KENNEDY, and Mrs. BLACKBURN) submitted the following resolution; which 

was referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental 

Affairs 

RESOLUTION 

Commending the officers and personnel of U.S. Customs 

and Border Protection for their work during the crisis 

at the Southern border. 

Whereas U.S. Customs and Border Protection (referred to in 

this preamble as ‘‘CBP’’) is charged with protecting the 

borders of the United States and facilitating travel and 

trade; 

Whereas the Southern border of the United States is experiencing unprecedented numbers of vulnerable individuals 

attempting to enter the country; 

Whereas, in June 2019, 104,344 individuals were apprehended at the Southern border, which is an increase of 

more than 140 percent, as compared to June 2018; 


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•SRES 280 IS 

Whereas, as of June 2019, the number of individuals apprehended or determined to be inadmissible by CBP at the 

Southern border in fiscal year 2019 is 780,638, already 

surpassing the fiscal year 2014 total of 569,287, which 

was the highest such number in the preceding 5 years; 

Whereas the Homeland Security Advisory Council expects 

Southwest border migration numbers to approach or exceed 1,000,000 individuals in fiscal year 2019 unless immediate action is taken; 

Whereas, historically, the majority of individuals arriving at 

the Southern border have been single adult males from 

Mexico, but by May 2019, 72 percent of all border enforcement actions were associated with unaccompanied 

children and family units; 

Whereas, due to the constant and increasing flow of migrants 

crossing the Southern border between ports of entry, financial and human resources are being diverted from the 

security and law enforcement duties of CBP, resulting 

in— 

(1) fewer seizures of narcotics and illicit currency; 

and 

(2) increased wait times at ports of entry, leading to 

warnings of possible produce shortages and interruptions 

in supply chains; 

Whereas more than 40 percent of CBP resources are currently being absorbed by the humanitarian crisis at the 

Southern border; 

Whereas the final emergency interim report published by the 

Homeland Security Advisory Council on April 16, 2019, 

notes that a substantial number of individuals who are 

apprehended by CBP require significant personal and 


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•SRES 280 IS 

medical care that exceeds the ability and capacity of 

CBP, despite creative and humane attempts by CBP to 

care for such individuals in CBP custody; 

Whereas CBP officers and personnel have raised concerns 

that overcrowding poses immediate risks to— 

(1) the health and safety of the migrants; and 

(2) CBP officers; 

Whereas CBP officers are experiencing both physical illness 

and severe mental and emotional distress as a result of 

the crisis at the Southern border; 

Whereas, in May 2019, the Commissioner of CBP requested 

an additional $2,100,000 for the Employee Assistance 

Program of CBP in order to offer additional counseling 

services to CBP officers and personnel to respond to ‘‘unanticipated critical incidents and other emerging crises, 

such as the unexpected response required for migrant 

caravans, employee suicides, and the need for a financial 

wellness program’’; and 

Whereas, in the face of the most difficult circumstances, CBP 

officers and personnel continue— 

(1) to work undaunted to protect the Southern border; and 

(2) to care for the migrants in CBP custody: Now, 

therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) commends the men and women of U.S. Cus3 toms and Border Protection, including Border Pa4 trol personnel, Office of Field Operations personnel, 

5 Air and Marine Operations personnel, Office of 

6 Trade personnel, and all support personnel and their 


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•SRES 280 IS 

1 allies for their continued honorable service during 

2 the challenging humanitarian crisis at the Southern 

3 border; and 

4 (2) calls on Congress to pass legislation to sup5 port U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers 

6 and to manage the increasing flow of migrants at7 tempting to enter the United States. 

Æ 


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