Lankford Visits San Diego Border, Highlights Effectiveness of President Trump’s Executive Action

WASHINGTON, DC – Senator James Lankford (R-OK) concluded a weekend trip to the US-Mexico border in San Diego, California, where he met with federal law enforcement officers, toured key border facilities, and received briefings from United States Border Patrol (USBP), US Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations (CBP OFO), and the US Coast Guard.

Lankford began his tour at the United States Border Patrol (USBP) San Diego Sector, receiving briefings on intake processing, medical screening, detention procedures, and tactical surveillance capabilities. The San Diego Sector has made 45,000 apprehensions from 147 different countries, more than anywhere else in the United States. He then visited remote locations such as “Arnie’s Point” and the “Well Draw” site, areas that showcase the complexity of border terrain and where gaps in the wall remain a serious vulnerability. During the visit, Lankford witnessed an illegal crossing and observed live apprehension efforts involving joint DoD–Border Patrol operations.

During the visit, Lankford observed firsthand the evolving conditions on the ground, including enhanced border enforcement operations and interagency coordination in high-risk areas. Lankford also spent time at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry, one of the busiest border crossings in the nation, where CBP officials highlighted the importance of ongoing facility expansion and modernization efforts. 

Sen. Lankford rides with the US Coast Guard, surveying the border by air

Lankford finished the visit by receiving an aerial tour by the US Coast Guard in San Diego. The briefing included their efforts to work with USBP as there has been a push in migration and drug smuggling in the maritime domain.

“It’s pretty, pretty remarkable to see the morale and the attitude of federal law enforcement,” Lankford told the Washington Examiner. “It was striking, the difference talking to the folks at [Customs and Border Protection] and the folks at Border Patrol about what they’re doing. I just can’t begin to explain how much of a better place that they are in — the morale, how different it really is. They are in such a better spirit.”

Sen. Lankford also toured the Otay Mesa Port of Entry

On the operational shift, Lankford noted, “They’re going after drugs moving across the ports of entry. They’ve set up checkpoints again, which had been pulled down. It was just a stark difference. Their focus is really on interdicting drugs because the number of people coming across has dropped so fast. They’re able to get the time to be able to detect it, find and chase down the leads, and to be able to go get after the narcotics.”

You can read the full exclusive in the Washington Examiner HERE, and you can view photos from the trip HERE.

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