San Antonio Standard

Congressman Tony Gonzales has expressed his support for President Donald Trump's recent executive orders on border security. These orders include designating international cartels and crime organizations as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) and Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs).

"President Trump is taking much-needed steps to restore law and order through executive action. Declaring drug cartels as terrorist organizations, resuming the Remain in Mexico policy, and ending catch-and-release are priorities I have long fought for since I arrived in Congress. Brighter days are ahead for our nation, the days of lawlessness in our country are over," said Congressman Tony Gonzales.

As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, Congressman Gonzales has been involved in advancing policies that increase funding for deportation flights, call for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to reject catch-and-release policies, and direct Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to prioritize detention and removal efforts. Earlier this year, he also helped introduce the REMAIN in Mexico Act.

The Security First Act was Congressman Gonzales' first bill of the 119th Congress. It aimed to designate violent criminal organizations as FTOs and increase grant funding for state and local law enforcement agencies in border regions through Operation Stonegarden. In FY24, he secured over $12 million in Operation Stonegarden funding for South and West Texas.

Congressman Gonzales represents Texas' 23rd Congressional District, which is the largest border district in the U.S. House of Representatives. The district covers 823 miles of the Texas-Mexico border, including Eagle Pass, Del Rio, and El Paso.