DALLAS — Texas Senator John Cornyn joined Inside Texas Politics to address critical issues facing the state, including the fentanyl epidemic, border security, and the financial burden Texas has shouldered due to federal immigration policies.
Cornyn emphasized the deadly impact of fentanyl, describing it as the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18 to 45.
“We know where it comes from. The precursors come from China. They make their way to Mexico and then they’re made to look like innocuous pills,” Cornyn stated. “I’ve been to probably six or seven school districts where grieving parents have appeared, talking about their child who was taking what they thought was something harmless, but it killed them because it was a counterfeit pill laced with fentanyl.”
He highlighted the importance of permanently classifying fentanyl as a “Schedule I drug,” ensuring stricter regulations and harsher penalties for traffickers.
“It seems like it should have been easier than it was, but we got it done,” Cornyn said.
Cornyn attributed the rise of fentanyl-related deaths to a lack of border enforcement.
“With the open borders over the last four years, the cartels that feed off this human misery have just had a field day,” he said. “Part of the solution is interdiction and border security, but another part is raising awareness—this can happen at your kids’ high school or in conversations around the dinner table. Most kids, if they truly understood the risk, wouldn’t take that pill.”
Cornyn also discussed the Laken Riley Act, named after a young woman murdered by an undocumented immigrant.
“Her family was brave enough to tell her story so she could become the focus of this legislation,” Cornyn explained. “The bill forces the federal government to detain people who are here illegally and commit crimes. My amendment ensures that anyone who assaults a police officer would be among those detained.”
He criticized the Biden administration’s border policies, calling them a “catch and release” approach that provided no deterrent.
“Migrants were granted asylum or parole, which let them stay for up to two years with a work permit. That lack of deterrence only encouraged more crossings,” he said.
Texas has spent billions of dollars on border security measures that Cornyn argues should be a federal responsibility.
“Governor Abbott has asked me and the rest of the Texas delegation to pursue reimbursement for about $11.1 billion—the amount state taxpayers have spent to do what is essentially a federal government job,” Cornyn said.
He credited Operation Lone Star and Texas law enforcement for stepping up where the federal government failed. “Under federal law, only federal officers can deal with immigration issues, but Texas officials could help with law enforcement aspects. Still, the burden fell unfairly on Texas taxpayers.”
Cornyn remains optimistic about securing reimbursement, stating, “It’s only fair that since this burden was borne disproportionately by Texas, the federal government should reimburse the state. That money could go toward education, public services, or even a taxpayer rebate.”
As Texas continues to face immigration and drug crises, Cornyn reaffirmed his commitment to advocating for stronger border enforcement and financial relief for the state.