WASHINGTON– U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR), a member of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, will leave Thursday, August 23 to tour locations along the Mexican border in California and Texas known to be highly traveled by illegal immigrants, human traffickers and drug smugglers.  

These sites include:

• Underground tunnels
• Physical barriers
• River crossings
• Ports of entry which are often used to smuggle narcotics
• Processing centers for illegal immigrants

“One of the top priorities of the federal government must be to secure our border. Having the opportunity to see first-hand the challenges that we face in controlling illegal immigration and narcotics trafficking will help us create and promote policies and provide resources to fight these crimes. Our Border Patrol and air interdiction agents, field operations officers and Coast Guard men and women are on the frontline of this battle. I look forward to showing my appreciation for their sacrifice and hearing how we can help them accomplish their mission and keep them safe,” Boozman said 

Boozman will also receive briefings aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf whose crew is responsible for interdicting millions of dollars in narcotics annually.