Rock Island Today

Illinois 17th Congressional District candidate Joe McGraw noted the strain faced by social services in the wake of illegal border crossings. McGraw, who recently visited Yuma, Ariz., has expressed concern over dwindling resources as a result of the mass flow of migrants entering the U.S. illegally. 

According to McGraw, local organizations, such as the Yuma Food Bank, are grappling with low food supply levels due to the influx of individuals crossing the border without resources. Taking aim at incumbent U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen (R-IL), McGraw accuses him of failing to take “meaningful action” to address the issues witnessed firsthand at the border.

“While in Yuma, I met with local organizations who are dealing with dwindling resources due to the mass flow of migrants across the Border,” McGraw said on Facebook.

“At the Yuma Food Bank, we heard that food supply levels are extremely low for Arizona residents who need them most, due to the large amount of individuals crossing the border illegally with no resources.”

“Our group also visited a Level 1 Trauma Hospital and heard from the Medical Director about the acute care demands they face due to an overwhelming amount of migrants needing attention upon entering the U.S. In both cases, Americans are not receiving the timely services crucial to maintaining healthy lives. These are just some of the unintended consequences that come with a wide-open southern border.”

“Eric Sorensen has failed to take meaningful action that would address the issues I saw first-hand at the Border. We need a new voice to represent Illinois’ 17th Congressional District who will prioritize our nation’s most pressing issues like securing our border.”

McGraw characterizes this scenario at the southern border as a national security emergency and promises to restore law and order if elected to Congress. In a Facebook post detailing his trip to Yuma, he suggested initiatives including finishing construction on the border wall, increasing funding for border patrol officers, and holding accountable those behind this crisis. 

“Over the weekend, I had the opportunity to visit our southern border in Yuma, Arizona, and witness first-hand the situation we face as a nation,” McGraw saidon Facebook. “What I’ve seen at our border is worse than I could have imagined – this is a national security emergency.”

“As a Judge, I spent 20 years on the bench working to keep people safe. But thanks to Democrat policies, every single county in this country is now a border county. Drugs, terrorists, and criminals are flowing into our country at record rates.”

“I’m running for Congress to restore law and order. I’ll push to finish building the wall, increase funding for border patrol, and hold accountable every bad actor who allowed this crisis to fester.”

“Throughout the week, I’ll be sharing more stories and insights from my trip to the southern border, and hope it sheds some light on our truly frightening reality.”

The 17th Congressional District is viewed as one of the most competitive in the country in 2024. 

It carries a “lean Democrat” rating by the Cook Political Report.

Geographically, the 17th Congressional District covers counties including Carroll, Fulton, Henry, Knox, McDonough, Mercer, McLean, Peoria, Rock Island, Stephenson, Tazewell, Warren, Whiteside, and Winnebago.