April 26, 2024 9:40 a.m. 

To better understand issues surrounding the southern border and how state lawmakers can minimize the effects of mass illegal immigration, a group of Oregon Republican leaders will tour the border in Yuma, Arizona on Monday.

A release from the Oregon Senate Republican Office said human traffickers have expedited the flow of migrants, including women and unaccompanied minors, who are vulnerable to sexual exploitation. The release said, “If the Biden Administration won’t fix this crisis, we must do what we can as a state”.

The tour will be with Border Security Alliance and the group plans to engage in discussions with Arizona officials.

State Senator Tim Knopp said, “We know the overwhelming supply of fentanyl and other hard drugs on Oregon’s streets are largely coming across the southern border. Now that the Legislature has effectively ended the national movement to decriminalize and destigmatize drugs by reversing much of Measure 110, we have to go after the supply” Knopp said, “I know we are all looking forward to learning more about how we can do that on this important trip”.

Lawmakers attending the tour include State Senator David Brock Smith, and local State Representatives Virgil Osborne, Court Boice, Christine Goodwin, and Boomer Wright. A total of fourteen members of the Oregon State Legislature are participating in the event.