CHICAGO, IL, UNITED STATES — Mark Rice, Republican for Congress in Illinois’ 8th Congressional District announces a major endorsement on a key campaign issue: securing the border.

Tom Homan, former Acting Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has endorsed Mark Rice, Republican for Congress, IL-8. Homan was Acting Director from Jan 30, 2017 to June 29, 2018. Since then, both legal and illegal immigration numbers have soared.

Mark Rice said, “We are going to take our country back, because we have patriots like Tom who are literally willing to give up their lives for you, your children, your grandchildren. That’s what it takes, for all of us to activate and do something…the status quo is not okay.”

Homan, the former ICE Chief said of Mark Rice, “He gets it. I’m with Mark all the way. If you believe in a secure nation, good for our children to grow up in, get him in office.”

Rice added, “A CDC report in the news this week showed 300 Americans are dying per day from drug overdoses from this fentanyl epidemic. These drugs are coming in through our open borders. We need better leadership. Children are dying and we have to do better.”

Mark Rice’s robust stand on securing the border includes the following policy proposals:
• Resume building the wall on our border
• Reinstate Remain in Mexico Policy
• Reinstate Safe 3rds (requiring refugees to make claims in the first country they arrive in instead of everyone coming to the U.S.)
• End Catch and Release
• Detain single adult crossers
• Reinstate Title 42 (successfully restricted immigration and allowed swift expelling of illegal immigrants)
• Resume DNA testing of families to stop child trafficking
• Resume domestic UAC (Unaccompanied Alien Children) enforcement
• Resume Prosecutions
• Bring back ICE with “no exemptions” policy for interior law enforcement (currently at all-time lows)
• Reinstate the 243(d) visa sanctions
• Reinstate HARP/PACR (Prompt Asylum Claim Review and Humanitarian Asylum Review Process)

Mark’s opponent, Raja Krishnamoorthi voted “No” to HR1065 on March 12, 2024. The resolution’s purpose was to denounce the current administration’s failed immigration policies. Along with his no vote, he instead endorsed President Biden for a second term.

“Raja’s vote reaffirms his support for this Administration’s policies. In contrast, I am opposed to allowing unvetted and potentially dangerous immigrants in to the U.S., because that jeopardizes the health, safety and security of American Citizens. I also oppose taxpaying citizens being on the hook to fund resources for people who did not follow our immigration laws,” said Rice.

“We have no choice. We have to secure our borders. It has got to be done. With (the voters’ help) and Tom’s,” added Rice, making a direct appeal to voters while traveling with Homan in Illinois last week.

Illinois’ 8th Congressional District includes parts of Cook, DuPage and Kane Counties. Rice has been an Illinois resident for 35 years and is a successful businessman, a political outsider, a husband and father of four. Those wanting to learn more or support the campaign should visit www.rice4congress.com.