Congressman Don Davis Emphasizes Need for Border Security, Curbing Fentanyl Epidemic

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Congressman Don Davis (NC-01) returned from Nogales, Arizona, where he toured U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) facilities and received briefings on narcotics trafficking, including the flow of fentanyl across the border. Nogales is the current epicenter of the fentanyl epidemic and the primary border crossing in the Tucson border patrol sector, which ranks number one in narcotics trafficking.

“Congress must stop the flow of deadly fentanyl into neighborhoods across our country by taking immediate action that includes securing our southern border,” said Congressman Davis. “More than 200 Americans, including 4 North Carolinians, are dying every day from fentanyl overdoses alone. We cannot stand by while Chinese-made and cartel-trafficked narcotics flood into communities across the country.”

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[Congressman Don Davis receiving a briefing from Nogales Port Director Michael Humphries]

During a briefing with Nogales Port Director Michael Humphries at the Mariposa Port of Entry, Congressman Davis learned that just last year, U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel seized 51.4 million fentanyl pills in Nogales alone, accounting for nearly 70 percent of all fentanyl pills seized nationwide, thanks in large part to the tireless work of field operations officers.

“Our field operations and border patrol officers are overwhelmed,” said Congressman Davis. “They need more personnel, scanning technology, and bandwidth to ease their burden and secure the border. At the same time, we must pass meaningful, lasting border security reform to reduce migrant crossings and drug flow.”

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[Congressman Don Davis outside the Mariposa Port of Entry in Nogales, Arizona]

Congressman Davis continues to advocate for immediate and bipartisan action from Congress to address the evolving crisis at the border, along with other pressing national security challenges.

Since taking office, Congressman Davis has developed a track record of bipartisan cooperation on border security and fentanyl-related legislation. In January of this year, Congressman Davis traveled to Eagle Pass, Texas, at the height of the migrant crisis in the Del Rio Sector. In February, Congressman Davis co-led the introduction of H.R. 7372, the Defending Borders, Defending Democracies Act, legislation to provide an emergency fix to the border crisis while providing desperately needed security assistance to allies, Israel and Ukraine. Last year, he introduced H.R. 4988, the Modern Authentication of Pharmaceuticals (MAP) Act, a bill to cut down on the flow of counterfeit substances, namely fentanyl. In 2022 alone, authorities seized more than 50.6 million prescription pills laced with the deadly narcotic.     

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[Congressman Don Davis talking with Border Control Officers in Nogales, Arizona]

Congressman Don Davis serves as the Vice Ranking Member of the Committee on Agriculture and serves on the House Armed Services Committee. Within the Armed Services Committee, he serves as the Vice Ranking Member of the Readiness Subcommittee.

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dondavis.house.gov