Johnson maintains immigration changes can't happen until border security improves first

 

OSHKOSH, Wis. (CBS 58) -- In Oshkosh, law enforcement says it's dealing with an increasing challenge of drug trafficking. Winnebago County has already set a record for most overdose deaths recorded in a year, and that number is expected to climb even higher. 

Senator Ron Johnson visits to draw attention to what he says is an absolute crisis at the southern border. He points to data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection showing a sharp increase in the number of encounters in the southwest going back to 2021. 

Looking at the last three fiscal years, those border encounters have gone from 1.73 million to 2.37 million to 2.47 million. 

Johnson says that means strengthening security at the southern border should be an absolute priority going forward.

"There is a flood of people that are from a different culture, that don't speak our language, that are far too many of them are dealing in drugs. This is going to be a problem that we're going to have to deal with for years and years," said Johnson. 

Democrats say any increased security should come along with policy changes that would make it easier for immigrants who are already here to be tracked and find ways to contribute positively in the U.S. 

"We know that Wisconsin motorists of all kinds are safer if there's driver's licenses for folks in Wisconsin, regardless of documentation. And there will be a better educated, stronger society if we have in-state tuition for everyone who lives in Wisconsin," said Ben Wikler, Chair on the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. 

Johnson says while he is sympathetic to DACA children - the dreamers who've spent most of their lives in the U.S., he does not agree with the idea of in-state tuition or driver's licenses for undocumented immigrants. He says that would serve as "a magnet" that would only attract more people to cross over illegally.