Calvert: Deport illegal migrants

Rep. Ken Calvert (R-Calif.) argued that migrants illegally crossing the Mexican border should be deported, but urged the Obama administration to establish public health procedures around detention facilities.

“Immigrants illegally entering the U.S. in the Rio Grand Valley are literally walking up to CBP [Customs and Border Patrol] officers looking to be detained, knowing that the current U.S. policy is to simply release them. I am convinced that, unless we fundamentally change our approach, the crisis will only grow larger,” Calvert said after touring the Murrieta Border Patrol Station in Murrieta, Calif. during the July 4 recess.

{mosads}Many illegal immigrants detained in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas have been transferred to the Murrieta facility. Calvert said the administration should allow local authorities to set up mobile health clinics.

“If President Obama is going to spread the problems he has created at our border to communities around the country, the least he can do is allow those communities to protect everyone’s health and safety,” Calvert said.

The California Republican said he would work on legislation when Congress returns this week to provide more border patrol personnel to the Rio Grande Valley to manage the influx of migrants.

“We must send a strong signal to would-be illegal immigrants that anyone entering our nation illegally will be returned to their country of origin,” Calvert said.