ABERDEEN, S.D.(Press Release) South Dakota Senator John Thune visited Aberdeen recently and spoke with Dakota Broadcasting about a host of issues.

One in particular he and his Republican colleagues continue to press is the situation at the U.S Mexico border. Senator Thune calls it a matter of national security.

Senator Thune admits this is a problem that predates the Biden Administration, but claims it has gotten worse.

According to the Biden administration the United States has seen a decrease of illegal migrants crossing the border in January. Crossings fell to about 2,500 people Monday January 2nd. That’s down from more than 10,000 on several days in December. Arrests totaled 13,800 during the seven day period ending last Friday, down 29 percent from 19,400 arrests two weeks ago.

The Biden Administration says the decrease comes from stricter crackdowns on the Mexico side of the border.

Senator Thune says despite the policy changes he and his Republican colleagues wish to implement, the power to better control the border is already on the books.