Spain just showed the world what happens when a nation’s asylum rules give way. After its highest court barred border agents from promptly returning migrants intercepted at sea, more than 60,000 people surged into the enclave of Ceuta in a single day, and at least 34 drowned.

Our own Supreme Court decided the same question the opposite way. In Mullin v. Al Otro Lado, the Court held that migrants at our boundary line have not “arrived in” the United States and have no right to be let in to apply for asylum. But that ruling is only as strong as the administration enforcing it. The last administration read our asylum laws much the way Spain’s court now reads Spanish law, and the worst border collapse in our history followed. A court decision cannot bind a future administration’s willingness to enforce it — only statute can.

The House Judiciary Committee has approved H.R. 9773, the Permanent Trump Secure Border Act, which would codify stricter credible-fear screening, narrowed asylum eligibility, detention rather than release, and long-overdue parole reform. When the House passes it, please be ready to take it up and pass it without delay.

The American people deserve border security that does not vanish with the next election.

Greg Raven, Apple Valley, CA

Sent to:
Alex Padilla, Adam Schiff