U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-S.D., fielded a host of questions Thursday, April 25 from residents at Derian Lodge Senior Living, including a few about the security of the southern border.
It was one of several stops Johnson made around the region.
As those in attendance asked questions, one resident expressed concern about the status of the southern border and said that South Dakotans are starting to feel the effects of illegal immigration.
Johnson said that the state of the U.S.-Mexico border is a terrible crisis, but the solution is relatively simple — the U.S. needs to secure the border.
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He also dispelled some misinformation about what public assistance programs are available to illegal immigrants and refugees seeking asylum. Illegal immigrants do not qualify for welfare or federally funded health coverage, he said, which includes Medicaid and Medicare.
Johnson also denied rumors about American airline companies bringing immigrants into the country.
Legitimate refugees seeking asylum are eligible to receive help from the government, Johnson said, but it is important for them to enter through legal means.
“We are a country that believes in laws,” Johnson said. “People can come here to work, but they must come here legally.”
Since the 2010s, the number of migrant families crossing the southern border has been on the rise. But, Johnson said, in the last six months, more single men have been crossing as opposed to families.
Johnson said it is too easy for migrants to cross the border illegally, and it is too difficult for those seeking refuge to do so legally.
“We will get refugees where they need to go, but we need to decide right then and there that they’re valid refugees with valid asylum claims,” Johnson said.
Pipelines another hot topic
Another resident asked about pipelines in general.
Though a proposed pipeline for Summit Carbon Solutions that would sequester carbon dioxide emissions from ethanol plants has been a topic of concern for many, the question didn’t specifically ask about Summit’s plan.
Johnson said that pipelines are one of the safest ways to transport resources such as crude oil, natural gas and gasoline, but issues regarding eminent domain have been on the minds of many South Dakotans.
Eminent domain is a key topic of concern when it comes to Summit’s proposed pipeline as many have said it shouldn’t be used by a private company for non-public infrastructure.
One resident pointed out that for many families, farmland has been passed down from generation to generation. Johnson agreed that eminent domain has always been an emotional topic, even for the founding fathers. Ultimately, he said, eminent domain is a tradeoff, and the method that’s allowed for the development of highways and electric lines.
Rising energy costs, education, student loans also discussed
In other topics, Johnson also discussed falling education scores, student loan forgiveness and the status of the Farm Bill.
“Writing scores are dropping, and a majority of kids can’t read at grade level,” Johnson said.
Part of the issue stems from students’ home lives. Johnson said that children who do not have a stable home life are not in a position to learn at school.
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“Things inside the classroom matter,” he said, “but what happens at home matters more.”
Johnson also spoke about student loan forgiveness. He said that the debt relief efforts are intended to help poor Americans and acknowledge that college has become too expensive, but President Joe Biden’s plan is not the way to address those concerns.
Johnson said that debt relief sends a message to both colleges and borrowers that they are off the hook for education costs, which could lead to education prices increasing.
Asked about paying for oil from other countries, Johnson said the House has passed the Lower Energy Costs Act, which aims to lower energy costs by increasing American energy production, exports, infrastructure and critical minerals processing. That would be done by promoting transparency, accountability, permitting and production of American resources and by improving water quality certification and energy projects.
Johnson’s Derian Lodge visit followed previous stops in Wolsey, where he visited with students at Wolsey-Wessington Springs High School, and Redfield, where he toured Reflections Recovery Home and hosted a Vietnam Veteran pinning ceremony. He also visited with Warner students on Friday, April 26.