America First Leadership Crushes Screwworm Threat Despite Mexico’s Obstruction and Open Borders

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The America First Policy Institute applauds the Trump Administration’s decisive action, led by Secretary Brooke Rollins and Texas officials, in rapidly containing and attacking the New World Screwworm (NWS) outbreak in Texas.

“Protecting our borders means protecting our ranchers, our livestock, and our food supply,” said Christie Mullin, AFPI chair of Rural Policy. “President Trump and Secretary Rollins acted decisively to confront the New World screwworm threat with aggressive containment and eradication measures. While years of lax border policies left America vulnerable, this Administration is taking the steps necessary to defend American cattle producers and ensure this destructive pest never gains a permanent foothold on U.S. soil.”

As a result of the previous administration’s wide-open border policies, catastrophe flooded America with unchecked animal movement, reversing decades of successful containment and sticking U.S. taxpayers with the bill. Now, under President Trump, Mexico has grown even less cooperative, hindering U.S. prevention efforts while the pest spreads from its territory.

President Trump and Secretary Rollins refused to wait on foreign governments. Their America First resolve bought us critical time and enabled the deployment of an aggressive working response plan.