The Arizona business community is cheering the reopening of the Lukeville port of entry and the Morley Gate pedestrian crossing in Nogales, but leaders say the ports of entry never should have been closed. Customs and Border Protection announced in early December that it was closing the Lukeville port and Morley Gate along with an international bridge spanning the Rio Grande in Eagle Pass, Texas and a pedestrian crossing near San Diego. CBP reopened the crossings today.

鈥淲e鈥檙e obviously pleased Lukeville and Morley Gate are reopening, but these ports of entry never should have been closed. Cutting off border states from international trade and travel, which are integral parts of our economy, is never the answer,鈥� Arizona 小红帽直播app of Commerce & Industry President and CEO Danny Seiden said. 鈥淭his administration and Congress need to come together now on a border policy that strikes the right balance between security and commerce.鈥�

Lukeville is the most used crossing for travelers going to and from Puerto Pe帽asco, also known as Rocky Point, a beach community on the Sea of Cortez in Sonora. The port was closed throughout the busy holiday season travel period, preventing Arizonans from reaching their beach destination and delivering a major economic blow to Rocky Point businesses that depend on tourists. 

鈥淭his was an irresponsible and reckless move that should have never happened. Not only did this create financial turmoil for border communities within Arizona who rely on the tourism traffic to and from Rocky Point to support their families, but the closure of the Lukeville Port of Entry also put unnecessary stress and strain on our citizens and commerce who depend on a safe and direct route to this popular destination,” state Sen. T.J. Shope, R-Coolidge, said.

Arizona Rep. Juan Ciscomani, R, traveled to Eagle Pass on Wednesday with a delegation led by House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La.

The delegation of 64 House Republicans representing 26 states met with CBP personnel, attended a briefing with the Texas Department of Public Safety, and joined a roundtable with local ranchers, business owners and other stakeholders from the area. 

鈥淚 believe in the American Dream that I鈥檓 living. But this (border crisis) is not it,鈥� Ciscomani said in a press conference. 鈥淲ith this crisis that Joe Biden and (Homeland Security Sec.) Alejandro Mayorkas created, nobody wins 鈥� except the cartels. They are the ones deciding who gets across and who doesn鈥檛. They are the ones who are trafficking people and drugs. They are the ones terrorizing their own citizens, with no regard for human life. The men and women we met with today, those fighting on the frontlines for our safety, are doing so with little to no support from this administration. They are trying to enforce policies that are at best outdated or at worst, designed to fail.鈥� 

Both Rep. Ciscomani and Speaker Johnson expressed support for a border enforcement bill the House passed last year.

鈥淗.R. 2 is the necessary ingredient. Why? Because it has provisions that fix each of these problems and these things work together,鈥� Johnson said. 鈥淔or example you couldn鈥檛 just reform the broken asylum process and allow this parole system to remain broken, it would be a giant loophole that would not solve the issue. We know what works, it鈥檚 not rocket science and that鈥檚 why we have said that we are resolved to those provisions, that鈥檚 what鈥檚 necessary to fix the problem. It鈥檚 not just House Republicans鈥� opinions, it’s based upon the informed opinions of the people here on the ground.鈥�

Shope remains critical of the Biden administration鈥檚 management of the border, saying, 鈥淣othing has changed at the border to prompt the opening of Lukeville.鈥�

鈥淭his was purely a political move after Republican lawmakers put immense pressure on the Biden Administration to open this critical artery for commerce and legal traffic,鈥� he said. 鈥淚’m grateful for the support of Arizona’s congressional delegation who pressed Secretary Mayorkas to reverse this closure. I will continue to demand Joe Biden secure our border once and for all, and to never again resort to closing our ports of entry.鈥�

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Customs and Border Protection on December 4 announced the closure of an international bridge in Eagle Pass, Texas spanning the Rio Grande and a land port of entry at Lukeville, Arizona. Days later CBP closed a pedestrian crossing in San Ysidro, the border community south of San Diego. Just recently, CBP suspended rail crossing operations in Eagle Pass and El Paso, Texas. CBP has closed other bridges at times throughout 2023, each closure more disruptive than the next.

These closures are in part a consequence of the inability or unwillingness of successive Congresses and administrations to reach a durable agreement on immigration and border security.

But the blame for today鈥檚 debacle rests in the epic mismanagement by the current administration of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. It’s not just Republican governors and members of Congress voicing criticism. It’s a growing list of prominent Democrats.  

The closures are unacceptable. They damage cross-border trade. They cause shipping delays and cost increases, which get passed along to consumers in the form of higher prices on store shelves. They make travel more difficult for folks who want to visit friends and family or simply run errands, and they cut off small businesses from their customers.

It鈥檚 clear that many on Capitol Hill and the current White House don鈥檛 understand cross-border trade and travel鈥檚 importance to every border community. Eagle Pass and Lukeville rely on trade and travel just as much as behemoths like Detroit or Laredo, Texas or San Ysidro, Calif. For the people who live and work in the affected areas, the ports are essential to their livelihoods.

When it comes to beer imports, no one is bigger than Eagle Pass. A little over two hours south of San Antonio, the city sits across from Piedras Negras, Coahuila, and the nearby town of Nava, where Constellation Brands brews beers like Corona and Modelo. The annual value of beer imports at Eagle Pass is more than $3.5 billion. Eagle Pass is also a major import point for kitchen appliances, clothes, and vehicle parts.

Lukeville serves as the main port for travelers to and from Arizona and the beach community of Puerto Pe帽asco, or Rocky Point. It鈥檚 also isolated. CBP suggests travelers instead go west and use the San Luis port south of Yuma or go east and cross at Nogales. It鈥檚 an approximately three-hour drive from San Luis to Puerto Pe帽asco, nearly five hours via Nogales. It鈥檚 no wonder that in what should otherwise be a busy holiday travel season, merchants in Puerto Pe帽asco their community 鈥渓ike a little ghost town.鈥�

CBP says the closures are necessary to shift personnel to assist with the migrant surges on the Mexican side of the border, which have become a humanitarian calamity. Border Patrol agents and CBP officers have an already difficult job made even more challenging by Washington鈥檚 ineptitude, and, as a result, the country鈥檚 legal trade and travel corridors are shut down, while illegal migration only grows.

The story of immigration reform in Washington is a long and frustrating one. Over the years, some members of both parties have negotiated in good faith, but many haven鈥檛, preferring instead to demagogue an issue where real action is needed.

Here are some recommendations:

• Bridge and port closures are intolerable. The consequences of a mismanaged border and of unscrupulous smugglers who lie to migrants should not be borne disproportionately by the American people. The processing of legitimate trade and travel should take priority over migrants with dubious amnesty claims.

• The administration needs to get the border under control, and agency staffing levels at the U.S.-Mexico border shouldn鈥檛 bear the entire burden. To deal with migrant surges, Border Patrol agents and CBP officers should be shifted from locations other than the Southwest border.

• The president should signal he鈥檚 ready to bargain and give congressional Republicans most of what they want. A bill like H.R. 2, the heavy enforcement bill House Republicans passed earlier this year, may not include the type of policy the president would prefer, but he should at least be willing to cut a deal for its political value. One look at his poll numbers and it鈥檚 obvious that immigration could sink his campaign.

• There is an emerging solution to be had if members of both parties will take yes for an answer. Senators like Kyrsten Sinema, I-Ariz., and Tom Tillis, R-N.C., stayed in Washington before the holiday recess to negotiate an immigration deal that could reform our amnesty laws, allow for more expedited removals, and clean up the parole system that releases some migrants from U.S. custody. Party leaders should encourage their rank-and-file members to study the proposal before criticizing it.

These are recommendations for the near term. We and our colleagues in the business community for more than a decade have urged Congress and the White House to reach an agreement that can meet the country鈥檚 border security requirements, that reflects the realities of our economy, and that encourages cross-border commerce. But right now, our states鈥� international borders are in crisis. Washington needs to fix the damage it鈥檚 inflicted.

Danny Seiden is the president and CEO of the Arizona 小红帽直播app of Commerce & Industry. Glenn Hamer is the president and CEO of the Texas Association of Business.

Photo courtesy . CC BY-NC 2.0 DEED Attribution-NonCommercial 2.0 Generic

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Texas鈥� strong ties with Israel were on display at the recent Texas Association of Business Policy Conference, where Dr. Miriam Adelson and Jerusalem Deputy Mayor Fleur Hassan-Nahoum expressed their thanks for the state鈥檚 solidarity with Israel. 

In her address, Adelson, a physician, business leader, and philanthropist, focused not only on the difficult circumstances that the citizens of Israel are currently facing in the war with Hamas, but also how Israel鈥檚 relationship with Texas and the rest of the U.S. offers a path to growth and security.  

鈥淟ook closer, and you鈥檒l find that Israelis and Texans have a deep affinity,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t runs deeper than business, though commercial ties between Texas and Israel are truly booming. And it even runs deeper than basketball, though my family are huge fans of the Dallas Mavericks. It is a matter of shared spirit.鈥� 

Adelson is buying a majority stake in the NBA鈥檚 Mavericks. 

The economic collaboration between Texas and Israel has flourished. Texas, home to the world鈥檚 8th-largest economy, and Israel, a global pioneer in the tech industry, have formed a partnership that holds the potential for success and prosperity for both regions. Firms in cyber security, robotics, and energy are doing business in Texas and Israel, and the Texas Economic Development Corp. that direct investment in Texas by 19 Israeli firms has led to the creation of more than 1,600 jobs. 

Israeli aerospace and defense company Elbit Systems has a significant presence in Texas. An Elbit U.S. subsidiary a large contract with the Department of Defense that could reach as much as $500 million to supply night vision goggles to the U.S. Marine Corps. 

鈥淭his is a critical time for Israel,鈥� Adelson said. 鈥淭he support must be loud and clear, and nowhere has it been more so than right here in Texas. From the top office of my dear friend, Governor Abbott, and all the way down to ordinary churchgoers鈥exans have turned out for Israel.鈥澛犅�

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott traveled to Israel in 2020 to tout the economic cooperation between the state and Israel and to reiterate Texas鈥� support for Israel. 

鈥淭he unwavering bond between Texas and Israel is marked by our shared commitment to freedom and economic opportunity,鈥� he said then. That unwavering bond was underscored when Abbott again traveled to Israel soon after the October 7 attacks. 

鈥淯nfortunately, never has freedom in Israel been more threatened than it is right now 鈥� and the people of Israel are vigorously fighting to defend it,鈥� Abbott said in a statement. 鈥淭exas stands ready to offer our complete and total support to Israel in their fight against brutal terrorist organizations like Hamas.鈥� 

Following the attacks, Abbott issued an directing all Texas state agencies to refrain from purchasing goods produced in or exported from the Gaza Strip and from any organization or state actor with ties to Hamas. 

Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem Fleur Hassan-Nahoum spoke of a three-part relationship between the U.S., Israel, and other Middle Eastern nations striving for peace. She emphasized that Texas is the leading light of this relationship in the U.S. 

Previewing her trip to Texas in a in The Jerusalem Post, Hassan-Nahoum wrote, 鈥淲hen CEO Glenn Hamer of the Texas Business Association, the official state 小红帽直播app of Commerce of Texas, invited me to keynote their annual conference, I felt it was important to attend, in part to reciprocate the strong support and solidarity the Lone Star state has shown Israel.鈥� 

She also pointed out that Texas has a strong law opposing any efforts by entities doing business with the state that would boycott, divest, or sanction Israel, and she praised the recent purchase by Texas of $65 million of Israeli bonds, and a resolution condemning the October 7 attacks that unanimously passed the state Senate.聽

鈥淚 come to this conference, first and foremost, to give Texas and the leadership of Texas our deep, deep gratitude for standing with Israel at a most horrible moment and our hour of need,鈥� she said. 

鈥淭AB was honored to welcome Dr. Adelson and Deputy Mayor Hassan-Nahoum to Texas to discuss our support for one another,鈥� TAB President and CEO Glenn Hamer said. 鈥淚t’s a relationship that goes beyond mere geopolitical alliances; it’s a connection rooted in shared values, resilience, and a mutual commitment to freedom and prosperity

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The Biden administration鈥檚 closure of the Lukeville port of entry continues to spur criticism from the state鈥檚 business community, congressional delegation, and Gov. Katie Hobbs. 

Hobbs traveled to Lukeville on Saturday. In a video posted on social media, the governor said she was in Lukeville to 鈥渁ssess the situation on the ground firsthand and get Customs and Border Patrol the resources they need to reopen our port of entry.鈥� 

Hobbs also said she鈥檚 calling on the White House for the resources and manpower to reopen the port. 

In a sent to President Joe Biden on Friday, the governor called for the 243 National Guard members already on federal active duty in the Tucson Sector be reassigned to reopen the Lukeville port. 

She also announced the creation of a new Border Security Office within the state Department of Homeland Security. The office will coordinate border security operations to ensure local, state, and federal assets. The effort will also include up to $5 million for the National Guard to augment and support the Department of Public Safety and local law enforcement agencies along the southern border, including fentanyl interdiction efforts. 

鈥淥ur ports of entry are vital for security and trade, and insufficient resources hinder our ability to properly manage the influx of migrants who have continued to come to Lukeville,鈥� Hobbs in a statement. 

Due to the closure, travelers to and from Arizona and the Sonoran community of Puerto Pe帽asco, also known as Rocky Point, must use ports hours away in places like Nogales and San Luis. 

Danny Seiden, the president and CEO of the Arizona 小红帽直播app of Commerce & Industry, expressed the business community鈥檚 frustration over the closure.

鈥淐losing a busy Arizona port of entry is more than an inconvenience. It is a decision that will have major repercussions for the local economy and businesses across the state that rely on visitor spending, particularly during one of the busiest months for cross-border travel,鈥� he said. 鈥淭his decision could lead to job losses, business closures, and devastating impacts to local communities, including an economic hit that could reach into the billions.鈥�

Southern Arizona U.S. Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ) and Phoenix-area Rep. Greg Stanton (D-AZ) demanded the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) provide a timeline for reopening the Lukeville Port of Entry (POE) in a to DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Tuesday. 

The letter demanded to know the following: 

1. How was the determination made to close the Lukeville POE, and specifically what

metrics will be used to determine when to reopen it?

2. What resources is your department providing to the Tucson sector to ensure a swift return

to normal operations?

3. What resources have been diverted from other POEs?

The closure began December 4 for all crossers as DHS redirected U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) staff to assist in processing an unprecedented surge of migrant arrivals. On the same day, CBP announced a closure of an international bridge in Texas spanning the Rio Grande connecting Eagle Pass, Texas and Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico.

On Saturday, CBP announced the closure of the PedWest pedestrian crossing in San Ysidro, California south of San Diego. 

“We join Gov. Hobbs and the members of our delegation who have urged the White House and Congress to act now. The longer we wait, the more our border communities suffer,” said Seiden.

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Arizona state Treasurer Kimberly Yee is part of a bipartisan slate of state treasurers across the country who are supporting Israel during its time of crisis by increasing their state鈥檚 holding of Israel bonds.

The Arizona State Treasurer鈥檚 Office has been investing in Israel bonds since 2013 and currently has $15 million in holdings, much of which were purchased under Yee.

鈥淚n the wake of the distressing news of the horrific terrorist attacks in Israel, I promptly directed my investment team to contact our esteemed partners in Israel to increase our Israel bond holdings as we continue to stand firmly with Israel,鈥� Yee said. 鈥淭he state of Arizona is a friend and ally of Israel, and it is imperative that we support them through our actions, and not just our words.鈥�

Other state financial officers are following suit.

Illinois State Treasurer Mike Frerichs, a Democrat, announced that his office will invest $10 million in Israel.

鈥淭his investment shows our strong commitment to Israel and its people,鈥� Frerichs . 鈥淭he challenges in the region are great. Israel is now at war. This is our way to show, with action and deeds as well as words, that we want to do what we can in this time of need.鈥�

Treasurers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Florida are also making bond purchases from Israel.

In fact, Development Corporation for Israel last week that it has secured more than $200 million in bond sales and commitments from investors since the war broke out in Israel, including $150 million in bond purchases from U.S. states.

鈥淭he extent to which the United States has supported Israel is incredible, demonstrating how this support cuts across partisan lines and is deeply rooted nationwide,鈥� Israel Bonds President and CEO Dani Naveh said. 鈥淭he response across many U.S. states was immediate and demand exceeded the amount of Israel bonds that we were able to sell at that time. At the same time, thousands of Jews from all over the world have been expressing their support for Israel by also purchasing bonds for themselves and on behalf of various organizations such as hospitals, emergency service organizations, and an organization supporting Israeli soldiers.鈥�

Israel bonds serve as an investment option for individuals, institutions, and nations worldwide to support the economic growth and stability of Israel. Investments in Israeli bonds offer both reliable financial returns and contribute to Israel鈥檚 economic and strategic well-being.

Yee has been a consistent supporter of Israel. She is a vocal opponent of the BDS movement, which attempts to pressure institutions to boycott, divest from and sanction Israel.

Yee enforced the state鈥檚 anti-BDS law in 2021 by selling off Arizona鈥檚 bond holdings in Unilever PLC, the parent company of Ben & Jerry鈥檚, after the ice cream company announced it wouldn鈥檛 sell its products in certain Israeli territories.  

鈥淎s Arizona鈥檚 Chief Banking and Investment Officer, I stand with Israel, and I will not allow taxpayer dollars to go towards anti-Semitic, discriminatory efforts against Israel,鈥� Yee at the time.

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A southern Arizona charity was recently awarded $50,000 to aid the fight against human trafficking.

The Champion Against Human Trafficking Award was made to the Southern Arizona Dream Center by United to Safeguard America from Illegal Trade, also known as USA-IT, a national coalition led by Philip Morris International. The group is comprised of dozens of national and state brand enforcement experts, law enforcement agencies, academics and leading business organizations leading training programs and raising public awareness of the depth and severity of illegal trade.

The grant was made at a summit convened by USA-IT focused on human trafficking and featured several of the strongest national voices on illicit trade and human trafficking prevention.

鈥淲e are humbled and honored to receive the Champion Against Human Trafficking Award to strengthen our mission against human trafficking,鈥� Southern Arizona Dream Center Director Terry Bernier said. 鈥淭here is a significant need in Southern Arizona for an immediate shelter for trafficking victims. This generous donation will help our organization to establish a safe home to provide a safe refuge and critical services for victims of human trafficking.鈥�

The Southern Arizona Dream Center is one of two Dream Centers working in Arizona to support the homeless, addicted, and trafficked. The Dream Center network represents locations in the United States and abroad, offering a food bank, clothing, and assistance programs to people in need. The centers focus on the full, successful transformation of people鈥檚 lives, all free of charge.

鈥淔or years, criminals have shamelessly skirted the criminal justice system to support large-scale operations, bringing a relentless cycle of crime into our communities and onto our interstates, including human trafficking,鈥� said Kristin Reif, head of state government affairs for Philip Morris International. 鈥淲e are proud to contribute to these organizations and support their work in providing justice to the vulnerable.鈥�

鈥淣o one government or industry can address this complex problem on its own,鈥� USA-IT spokesperson Alysa Erichs said. Erichs is the former acting executive associate director for Homeland Security Investigations. 鈥淎nd with tens of thousands trafficked in the U.S. every year, we must continue doing more. Only by working together, can we help disband criminal organizations and safeguard our communities from illegal trade and the far-reaching web of crimes it fosters.鈥� More information about USA-IT鈥檚 efforts to combat illegal trade can be found at .

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The International Trade Administration is taking comments from the public in response to a Florida group鈥檚 call to end the agreement that has governed the importation of fresh tomatoes from Mexico since 2019. Should the Biden administration elect to rescind the deal, it could have a significant impact on Arizona, where the fresh produce trade is a major job creator, and on shoppers who are watching their grocery bills closely during this period of high inflation. 

The agreement, called the Tomato Suspension Agreement, is the latest in a series of such accords adopted in five-year increments since 1996. 

The Florida Tomato Exchange, which represents the interests of Florida growers, has taken a protectionist position, claiming that fresh tomatoes are being 鈥渄umped鈥� on the United States market, unfairly edging out Florida-grown tomatoes by being sold below the floor price that was agreed to in the 2019 deal. 

On the other side are groups representing importers, including the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas in Nogales, Arizona. 

鈥淭he recent request by the Florida Tomato Exchange (FTE) asking the Department of Commerce to withdraw from the 2019 Tomato Suspension Agreement jeopardizes the availability of the variety of tomatoes that U.S. consumers expect at prices they can afford and would harm U.S. businesses,鈥� FPAA President Lance Jungmeyer said in a statement. 鈥淭hrough these actions, the FTE continues to attempt to use antidumping laws for the unintended purpose of creating a monopoly for themselves in the marketplace and covering for their unwillingness or inability to innovate and adapt to changing market demands.鈥� 

The termination of the agreement could disrupt the flow of tomatoes and other produce, leading to potential shortages and supply chain disruptions. The potential scarcity of tomatoes would mean higher prices for consumers at a time of already high inflation. 

When the latest agreement was still under negotiation, members of the Arizona congressional delegation wrote to the Trump administration to stress the state鈥檚 trade relationship with Mexico as a vital economic driver that contributes billions of dollars to the U.S. GDP and supports around 33,000 American jobs. 

The termination of the agreement could also carry the risk of retaliation from Mexico in the form of tariffs on U.S. exports, making U.S.-made products more expensive and less competitive south of the border. 

The FPAA points out that, despite the claims from the Florida growers, the 2019 agreement has been robustly enforced. 

鈥淭his includes regular quarterly audits, administrative reviews, on-site audits from the U.S. Department of Commerce, and enforcement measures in place in Mexico,鈥� says the FPAA. 鈥淐ontrary to FTE鈥檚 false claims, the Department of Commerce has consistently found Mexican tomatoes have complied fully with the Tomato Suspension Agreement.鈥� 

Great-tasting, vine-ripened fresh tomatoes from Mexico are popular with U.S. shoppers, says Jungmeyer. Meanwhile, Florida tomatoes are picked green from the field and ripened artificially with ethylene gas. 

鈥淭he allegations by the Florida growers are as timeworn and tired as their gassed green tomatoes,鈥� Jungmeyer said. 鈥淐onsumers overwhelmingly prefer the flavor of vine ripened tomatoes over gassed green tomatoes like those from Florida.  Mexico is a major supplier of vine ripened tomatoes which is one reason why the FTE wants to erect a trade barrier. There really is no substitute for a vine ripened tomato, and to put in duties would simply amount to another tax that shoppers just can鈥檛 afford.鈥� 

The economic activity derived from the importation of tomatoes is estimated to account for $3 billion in gross domestic product. 

Responses to the administration鈥檚 call for comments are due September 8.

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Nearly a month removed from the lifting of Title 42, the set of pandemic-era protocols that turned away most undocumented migrants seeking entry into the United States, a paper by a Texas banking executive could provide a roadmap for policymakers to secure the border and to develop a more coherent immigration policy, all while earning bipartisan support. 

, a series of recommendations by Dennis Nixon, the president of Laredo-based IBC Bank, looks at ways Congress and the administration could update U.S. immigration laws, including the asylum process that in the last several years has been shown to be ill-equipped to address today鈥檚 migration patterns, and make the Texas-Mexico border region more secure by improving infrastructure and the environment around the Rio Grande.  

Texas Association of Business President and CEO Glenn Hamer, one of the business community鈥檚 most vocal advocates for reforming the country鈥檚 immigration laws, calls Nixon鈥檚 paper, 鈥渁n important piece of work.鈥� 

鈥淔ew business leaders know and understand the border region the way Dennis Nixon does,鈥� Hamer said. 鈥淣ot only does he understand the economic imperative of solving this issue, but as a resident of Laredo, he has an insight into the binational relationship between the U.S. and Mexico that should be valuable to Capitol Hill.鈥� 

The paper calls for reforms in seven areas, starting with the immigration and asylum system, which Nixon says should begin in a migrant鈥檚 home country, not at the border or port of entry.  

An improved asylum system 

鈥淚ndividuals should go through the first interview in their home country to determine their eligibility for an asylum claim,鈥� the paper says. 鈥淚f this interview determines the asylum claim is unworthy, the claimant is rejected. If the claim is deemed worthy, then the claimant can move forward.鈥� 

The outmoded asylum system has resulted in disruptions to cross-border commerce. DHS closed an international bridge in Del Rio, Texas in 2021, due to a surge in Haitian asylum seekers that overwhelmed officials there. Most recently, asylum seekers gathered in such large numbers in Ciudad Ju谩rez across from El Paso that commercial operations at the Bridge of the Americas linking the two cities was halted.  

Nixon argues that asylum seekers should be permitted to work, which would benefit not only the migrant, but the U.S. economy. It鈥檚 an idea that has its champions in the U.S. Senate, with Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, I, and Maine Senators Susan Collins, R, and Angus King, I, sponsoring the Asylum Seeker Work Authorization Act, which attempts to limit burdens borne by local communities by streamlining employment authorization for asylum seekers who enter the U.S. at a port of entry and who have passed rigorous background checks. 

Lack of judges leads to significant case backlog 

There are nearly 2 million immigration cases awaiting adjudication, but the backlog remains stubbornly high due to a lack of immigration judges. Immigration cases can take as long as 1,000 days to be resolved, which makes it unlikely that most migrants will appear for their hearing. 

鈥淎 secure border is defined by our ability to enforce the rule-of-law,鈥� Nixon writes. 鈥淗owever, the lack of immigration judges or post-apprehension consequences undermines the very rule of law we claim to enforce and protect.鈥� 

Nixon suggests removing immigration courts from the Department of Justice and making them an independent court system. 

Better access at Rio Grande for Border Patrol 

In addition to reforms to the immigration and asylum system, Nixon also urges steps to improve Border Patrol agents鈥� access to the Rio Grande, which in many parts of the Texas border has poor highway infrastructure and limited visibility due to the overgrowth of invasive species like the Salt Cedar and Carrizo Cane. 

The paper says that cleaning up the river on both sides of the border would create a natural buffer zone that would allow Border Patrol better lines of sight and would eliminate hiding places for immigrant smugglers. Some more populated areas, like Laredo and Nuevo Laredo, could develop a binational park that would not only enhance the quality of life for the communities鈥� residents, but also make agents鈥� jobs easier. 

鈥淚ncreasing security and modernizing our immigration, visa, and asylum laws should go hand in hand,鈥� Hamer said. 鈥淭his paper doesn鈥檛 shy away from the need to get operational control of the border and to help Border Patrol agents in that task, but it also proposes ways to add new assets to border communities.鈥� 

Smart economic sense 

Common Sense Border Solutions also makes economic arguments, reminding policymakers that immigrants are an asset to the country, making contributions that are especially important as U.S. labor force participation and population growth sputters. 

鈥淔oreign-born workers have been crucial to Texas鈥� rapid growth for decades,鈥� the paper says. 鈥淭hat economic opportunity and steady growth are key ingredients in the state鈥檚 ability to keep landing the top spot in the best place in which to do business.鈥� 

Nixon does not underplay the need to strengthen border security but says there are effective and fiscally prudent ways to achieve it that also enhance the country鈥檚 relationship with Mexico, which Nixon calls, 鈥渙ur ally and partner.鈥�  

鈥淪o, if we really want border security, let鈥檚 clean up the river, fix the immigration court system, and modernize our immigration and asylum laws,鈥� he writes. 

Reform possible sooner rather than later, TAB president says 

After decades of inaction, whether Congress will seize on the end of Title 42 as the moment to advance substantive immigration reform and border security legislation like the kind presented by Nixon remains an open question, but Hamer says there are some signs of optimism. 

In addition to the legislation to grant work authorizations to asylum seekers, Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., and Sinema have partnered on legislation that would make new investments in Customs and Border Protection鈥檚 Office of Field Operations, and also make reforms to the visa, asylum, and immigration systems, such as establishing a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers, individuals brought to the U.S. as children in an undocumented status by their parents.  

Legislation sponsored by Republicans, H.R. 2, The Secure the Border Act, cleared the House in May. The bill is almost entirely focused on enforcement but could be used as a vehicle to add measures like those proposed by Tillis and Sinema.  

Hamer says he believes the Texas congressional delegation is poised to play a pivotal role in any negotiation.  

鈥淭he Texas delegation is comprised of members of both parties who are serious lawmakers with a deep understanding of the challenges that come from being a border state, but who also appreciate that Texas鈥� proximity to Mexico is a major economic advantage,鈥� Hamer said. 鈥淪en. Cornyn earlier this spring led a bipartisan delegation to Mexico to meet with President Andr茅s Manuel L贸pez Obrador, and the senator鈥檚 years on the Senate Finance Committee and the Judiciary Committee demonstrate a grasp of Texas鈥� indispensable trade relationship with Mexico as well as effective strategies for confronting traffickers and smugglers.鈥� 

Of Texas鈥� House members, Hamer pointed to Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, Tony Gonzales, R-San Antonio, and Michael McCaul, R-Austin, as members who could help move a border security and immigration bill through the legislative process to the president鈥檚 desk. 

鈥淩ep. Cuellar and Rep. Gonzales are two border district members who have made clear a genuine desire to set partisan interests aside to advance good policy, and Rep. McCaul has shown in his service on the Homeland Security Committee that he wants to find the balance between a secure border and a thriving economy. Texas is incredibly fortunate to have the delegation it has.鈥� 

El Paso-area Democrat Rep. Veronica Escobar recently cosponsored the introduction of The Dignity Act of 2023 along with Florida Republican Rep. Mar铆a Elvira Salazar. Their bill makes several reforms to the country鈥檚 immigration system, including developing a pathway to legal status and eventual citizenship for undocumented immigrants already in the country.  

The bill is not expected to advance in its current form, but elements of it could be included in an eventual compromise bill. 

鈥淩ep. Escobar鈥檚 bill is another example of Texans leading on one of the most important issues of the day,鈥� Hamer said. 鈥淭here are several good policy proposals circulating on Capitol Hill to address immigration, many of which originated with Texas lawmakers. The potential to weave them together into one bill that can earn bipartisan support is there.鈥� 

Hamer, who previously led the state chamber of commerce in Arizona, said freshman Republican Rep. Juan Ciscomani, whose district covers a large swath of southeastern Arizona, is another one to watch on border issues. 

鈥淛uan is a rising star. His portfolio when he was a senior member of former Gov. Doug Ducey鈥檚 administration included border affairs and the state鈥檚 relationship with Mexico. He understands the security needs and the business case,鈥� Hamer said. 鈥淐iscomani working together with the likes of Cuellar, Gonzales and McCaul brings a level of expertise to border issues that their colleagues can trust. They鈥檒l be the leaders who help get a deal done.鈥�

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Four of Arizona鈥檚 nine members of the U.S. House of Representatives voted Wednesday to raise the debt ceiling and avoid a catastrophic default. 

The Fiscal Responsibility Act, which passed 314-117, now heads to the Senate.

The Arizona House members who to stave off default were Republicans Juan Ciscomani and David Schweikert, and Democrats Ruben Gallego and Greg Stanton.

鈥淲e cannot default on the sovereign debt of the United States, so today I reluctantly voted to increase the debt ceiling to avoid economic calamity that will only hurt the American public,鈥� Schweikert said in a statement. He called the bill 鈥渋mperfect,鈥� but that it 鈥渂egins the process of solving unsustainable spending problems.鈥�

Ciscomani also said he would not risk default.

鈥淚 supported today鈥檚 debt ceiling vote because I could not entertain the alternatives: a clean lift with no changes to Washington鈥檚 bad habits, or default on our debt,鈥� he said in a statement. 

On the Democratic side, Stanton said, 鈥淎 default would be devastating鈥攃osting millions of Americans their jobs, draining retirement accounts, driving up costs and undermining our national security.鈥� 

Gallego said the compromise was a byproduct of a divided government.

鈥淭his is the reality of a divided Congress,鈥� he said in a . 鈥淎nd this compromise protects Dems鈥� historic achievements and prevents extremists from holding AZ families hostage.鈥�

The president and CEO of the Arizona 小红帽直播app of Commerce & Industry, Danny Seiden, applauded the four members who voted to avoid default.

鈥淒efaulting would have been catastrophic for the state, national, and global economies,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he two Republicans and two Democrats from Arizona鈥檚 House delegation voted to do the right thing, the responsible thing. We would encourage Senators Sinema and Kelly to vote in favor of the bill and to send this bill to the president.鈥�

Once signed into law, the bill will suspend the debt limit until January 2025, thus avoiding another debt ceiling debate in the middle of an election. The bill reduces spending by about $55 billion next year and $81 billion in 2025, claws back nearly $30 billion in unspent Covid relief funds, and restarts federal student loan payments that were paused during the pandemic and maintained by the Biden administration. It also adds new work requirements for some food stamp recipients.

The Congressional Budget Office the bill will reduce the deficit by $1.5 trillion over the next decade.

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The United States House of Representatives Rules Committee on Tuesday voted 7-6 to send to the full House the deal negotiated by President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to raise the debt ceiling until 2025. This comes after weeks of tense negotiations between both parties. 

The full House is expected to vote on H.R. 3746, the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 on Wednesday. The Senate could take up the bill on Friday, as leaders work to get the bill to the president鈥檚 desk by June 5, the date Treasury Sec. Janet Yellen says the government will default. 

The deal caps spending for all non-defense items until 2024, with a 1% increase in 2025. Defense spending would rise 3% in 2024, with no cap in 2025. This spending also increases funding for veterans鈥� healthcare. Other major changes include a return of unspent COVID funds, an age increase for SNAP benefits from 50 to 54 with exceptions for veterans and the homeless, and an increase in IRS funding over the next decade. 

The agreement has earned plaudits from state- and national-level business groups, which are calling for its swift passage. 

鈥淎 default on our debt would be disastrous for the American economy, harming job creators, workers and families, and undermining U.S. leadership around the world,鈥� Arizona 小红帽直播app of Commerce & Industry President and CEO Danny Seiden. 鈥淭he time for debate over whether to raise the debt limit has come to an end. If we are to avoid catastrophic and long-term economic consequences, then it must be done. Congress must put party politics aside and do what鈥檚 right for the country.鈥� 

Jay Timmons, president and CEO of the National Association of Manufacturers, agreed. 

鈥淎s we have said from the beginning, defaulting on our debt would create economic chaos, harming manufacturing workers and their families and jeopardizing our leadership in the world,鈥� he. 鈥淐ongress should act quickly to pass this agreement and to demonstrate to Americans and to the world the continued strength of our institutions and our democracy.鈥� 

The U.S. 小红帽直播app of Commerce sent a to Capitol Hill on Monday saying that the vote would figure into the U.S. 小红帽直播app鈥檚 鈥淗ow They Voted鈥� Scorecard. 

鈥淒efaulting on America鈥檚 debt is not an option, and this sensible compromise legislation should serve as a template for how greater deals for the fiscal health of the country can be achieved,鈥� the letter said. 

In Texas, the Texas Association of Business says the agreement is a testament to the leadership of McCarthy.

鈥淪peaker McCarthy was not dealt a great hand, but credit to him for walking away with a very solid deal for the business community and the country,鈥� TAB President and CEO Glenn Hamer said. 鈥淭his compromise is a good one and deserves to be passed.鈥� 

Although allies of both McCarthy and Biden celebrated the deal, the extremes of both parties rained down criticism. 

Two GOP members of the Freedom Caucus who also serve on the Rules Committee voted against advancing the bill. 

Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, also expressed her displeasure with the deal, saying that Biden and his allies should worry about progressive support of the debt ceiling deal extension, adding another potential landmine in an already perilous situation. 

The Fiscal Responsibility Act also makes significant headway on permitting reform for energy projects throughout the United States. The BUILDER Act, which is included in the debt ceiling deal, would shorten the approval process for new energy projects from up to seven years to two years and significantly streamline scientific review proceedings. 

Republican freshman Arizona Rep. Juan Ciscomani said in a he will vote for the bill and not risk catastrophic default. 

鈥淚 will be a yes on this week鈥檚 debt ceiling vote. The alternatives are a clean lift or defaulting on our obligations 鈥� two options I鈥檓 not willing to entertain,鈥� Ciscomani said. 鈥淚 was elected to responsibly govern, and what Republicans have negotiated is a step in the right direction.鈥� 

Seiden applauded the announcement. 

鈥淥nce again, Congressman Ciscomani is demonstrating why he鈥檚 considered a rising star on Capitol Hill,鈥� Seiden said. 鈥淎ll members of the Arizona delegation should follow his example, stop the grandstanding, and preserve the health of the U.S. economy.鈥�

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