Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) is touting the Trump administration's border security record as a clear victory for Republicans, pointing to sharp declines in illegal crossings and new enforcement funding. In a statement, Boebert highlighted that daily encounters at the southwest border have dropped from over 5,000 under the Biden administration to about 250—a roughly 95% reduction. She also noted that for more than a year, no undocumented immigrants have been released into the United States, and apprehensions are at their lowest fiscal-year level since 1970.
Boebert, who represents Colorado's 4th District, credited the Laken Riley Act—which she voted for at the start of the 119th Congress—for requiring detention of undocumented immigrants charged with theft or burglary. The law is named after Laken Riley, a Georgia nursing student murdered by an undocumented immigrant. Boebert argued that such measures prevent preventable violence and protect American communities.
The congresswoman also emphasized the public health and fiscal benefits of a secure border. She authored the Fentanyl is a WMD Act to treat cartel-produced fentanyl as a mass-casualty threat and passed a bipartisan House amendment requiring the Department of Homeland Security to report deportations of undocumented immigrants who assault law enforcement. She also introduced legislation to block federal health insurance dollars from covering undocumented immigrants, arguing that stopping fentanyl and fraud at the border protects hospitals and taxpayers.
On funding, Boebert pointed to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which allocated $46.5 billion for border barriers and technology, including primary and secondary walls, water barriers, sensors, and roads. She also voted for the Secure America Act, which provides mandatory funding for Border Patrol and ICE through the end of Trump's term, totaling roughly $70 billion. This legislation, she said, ensures these agencies are not held hostage by annual appropriations fights and strengthens interior enforcement.
Boebert also voiced support for expanding the 287(g) program, which allows federal and local police to identify and remove criminal undocumented immigrants. She argued that increased cooperation is needed to remove violent offenders and drug traffickers who entered under the previous administration's policies.
The congresswoman dismissed critics as "socialist propaganda and paid protests," asserting that the more than a year of zero releases proves the country is safer. She also noted that states like Colorado can now redirect resources to education and health care for citizens instead of managing open-border chaos.
Boebert concluded by urging Congress to codify Trump's executive orders into statute to prevent future administrations from reversing these gains. "Future administrations should not be able to flip a switch and reopen the border," she said. "I will continue fighting to ensure these gains are permanent."
Her remarks come as the administration continues to tout border security successes, including a recent 75% reduction in cartel drone sightings attributed to new Army laser systems. However, critics question the long-term sustainability of these policies and their fiscal impact, especially as the administration faces skepticism over other spending promises. Boebert's district, which includes rural eastern Colorado, has seen firsthand the effects of fentanyl and gang activity, she said.
