North Cook News

Illinois Eighth Congressional District candidate Mark Rice has expressed concerns over open border policies, citing potential negative impacts on society. In a Facebook post dated September 27, Rice said, "As a nation that values law and order, open border policies can have detrimental effects on our society."

"Open Border Policies Are Ineffective," said Rice, according to Facebook. "As a nation that values law and order, open border policies can have detrimental effects on our society. Allowing unvetted individuals to enter our country can lead to increased crime, drug trafficking, and human trafficking, negatively impacting our citizens and economy."

According to Rice's Facebook post, he outlined several issues related to open borders. He mentioned the strain on public resources such as healthcare, education, and housing, which could diminish quality and access for taxpayers. He also highlighted the economic burden of a sudden influx of people on local economies, potentially leading to higher taxes. Furthermore, Rice raised security concerns, stating that open borders complicate law enforcement and national security efforts.

Screenshot of Mark Rice's Sept. 27 Facebook post | Mark Rice for Congress Facebook page

Rice shared screenshots of a letter addressed to Representative Tony Gonzalez from Patrick J. Lechleitner, Deputy Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The letter responded to a March 2024 inquiry directed at the Department of Human Services (DHS). Lechleitner reported that as of July 21, 2024, there were 662,566 noncitizens with criminal histories on ICE’s national docket. Of these individuals, 435,719 were convicted criminals while 226,847 had pending criminal cases.

Lechleitner further explained the challenges faced by DHS in managing immigration within a strained system. Despite these challenges and limited funding, DHS continues its efforts to secure borders by removing or returning record numbers of migrants who cannot establish legal residency in the United States. From mid-May 2023 through the end of July 2024, more than 893,600 individuals were removed or returned.

Mark Rice is currently serving as CEO of Energy CX and has lived in Illinois for 35 years. Under his leadership, Energy CX has become nationally recognized for providing comprehensive energy solutions. With a team of 70 professionals under his command, Rice's experience in the energy sector informs his understanding of economic issues. His congressional campaign aims to address concerns within the Eighth Congressional District and challenge what he perceives as corruption within the current administration.