Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) on Wednesday touted what she called the success of Republican border security measures implemented during President Trump's second term, pointing to steep declines in illegal crossings and new federal funding for enforcement. In a statement, Boebert framed the current situation as a sharp reversal from the Biden administration's approach, which she argued fueled cartel activity and brought dangerous criminals into American communities.
Boebert, who represents Colorado's 4th District, highlighted the Laken Riley Act, which she voted for at the start of the 119th Congress. The law mandates detention of undocumented immigrants charged with theft, burglary, or similar offenses. Named after Laken Riley, a Georgia nursing student killed by an undocumented immigrant, the measure was a key Republican priority aimed at preventing violent crimes by individuals who should not have been free.
Since January 2025, Boebert said, daily encounters at the southwest border have plummeted by roughly 95%, from more than 5,000 per day to about 250. She noted that for over a year, zero undocumented immigrants have been released into the U.S., and Border Patrol apprehensions are at their lowest fiscal-year total since 1970. "Deterrence is working again because the policies changed," she said.
Boebert also tied border security to public health and fiscal responsibility, arguing that cartel fentanyl, uncompensated emergency care, and benefit fraud drain hospitals and taxpayers. She authored the Fentanyl is a WMD Act to treat cartel-produced fentanyl as a mass-casualty threat, and she pushed a bipartisan House amendment requiring the Department of Homeland Security to report on deportations of undocumented immigrants who assault law enforcement. She also introduced legislation to block federal health insurance funds from covering undocumented individuals.
On spending, Boebert pointed to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which allocated $46.5 billion for border barriers and technology, including steel walls, sensors, and roads from California to Texas. She also voted for the Secure America Act, which provides multi-year mandatory funding for Border Patrol and ICE—roughly $70 billion—to hire, train, and retain agents, expand detention capacity, and strengthen interior enforcement. The measure is designed to prevent future shutdowns and defunding efforts by Democrats.
Boebert called for expanding the 287(g) program, which allows federal and local police to cooperate on identifying and removing undocumented immigrants convicted of crimes. She argued that more cooperation is needed to protect communities from violent offenders and drug traffickers.
"Some will never admit it, but a secure border works," Boebert said. She cited lower crime rates, fewer gang members on the streets, and reduced costs for states like Colorado, allowing more resources for education and health care for citizens. She dismissed criticism as "socialist propaganda" and "paid protests," and pointed to the more than a year of zero releases as proof of safety.
Boebert urged Congress to codify Trump's executive orders into law so that future administrations cannot easily reverse the policies. "I will continue fighting to ensure these gains are permanent," she said. The congresswoman serves on the House Natural Resources and Oversight committees.
