Great Lakes Wire

Michigan Senate candidate Mike Rogers said that current border policies, supported by his opponent Elissa Slotkin, have led to an increase in crime, fentanyl distribution, and violence in communities around the state. Rogers gave his statement to the Great Lakes Wire on September 20.

"Democrats must be exhausted from running from their record of putting Michiganders last," said Rogers, U.S. Senate Candidate in Michigan. "Under Biden-Harris and with the full support of Slotkin, crime is up, fentanyl is killing thousands, and Chilean gangs are breaking into homes. Michigan deserves a leader who will put their safety and security first and I will do just that in Washington."

The House Homeland Security Committee Majority released a report on September 18 titled "Crisis by Design: A Comprehensive Look at the Biden-Harris Administration’s Unprecedented Border Crisis." According to the report, Americans have witnessed "national security, public safety, and humanitarian disaster" at the southern border. The report states that 10.2 million illegal aliens have entered the country in the last four years under the current administration. It also notes there are "roughly" two million gotaways, where Customs and Border Protection was unable to detain individuals.

Due to policies at the southern border, cartels and criminal groups now control who crosses the border from Mexico, according to the Homeland Security Committee Report. "It is now nearly impossible to cross without paying them," the report said. Cartels focus on human smuggling, making a majority of their profit from migrants who pay them to help cross terrain and find correct routes into the U.S. Cartels also smuggle drugs, mainly fentanyl, across the border and distribute it through their network inside U.S. communities.

According to News Nation, Chilean gangs are committing burglaries across American communities, stealing millions in cash, jewelry, and luxury goods. In Oakland County, Michigan, 40 homes have been burglarized since late 2023. Sheriff Mike Bouchard blamed the federal government and border policies: "They usually issue a standard statement saying they’re aware and they’re working closely with the Chilean government to try to increase information cooperation. That doesn’t help us. Our house is on fire with these burglaries." Bouchard insists that national policy reform is necessary to stop these international crime groups. The Department of Homeland Security acknowledges the issue and is working with the Chilean government to address it.

Rogers represented Michigan in Congress from 2001-2015 according to his website. He served as Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee and is currently running for election to the U.S. Senate in Michigan.