Holland Reporter

Matt Hall, a state representative from Michigan, has expressed concerns over the rising number of fentanyl seizures at the northern border. He warned that cartels might be using Michigan as a transit route and called for stronger border security measures and opposition to sanctuary cities. Hall made these remarks on the social media platform X.

"About 63 pounds of fentanyl were seized at the northern border between April–July," said Matthew Richard Hall. "That's more than the last 2½ years combined. Chairwoman Lisa McClain is right: President Trump's southern border policies have made our country much safer, but cartels may now be shifting routes—one of them being through Michigan. We need a continued strong presence from our border security here at home, and we must continue to fight against sanctuary cities in Michigan!"

According to Reuters, U.S. officials are increasingly worried about drug trafficking at the northern border. While fentanyl smuggling is less common there compared to the southern border, it is reportedly increasing due to loopholes in shipment regulations. Former President Trump's 2025 tariffs targeted the "de minimis" trade provision, which authorities say was being exploited for fentanyl precursor shipments from Canada, emphasizing the northern border's role in the broader drug crisis.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reported that in fiscal year 2024, agents seized more than 19,600 pounds of fentanyl nationwide through August, with 1,314 pounds confiscated in November alone. The CBP data aggregates seizures across land, air, and sea ports of entry without distinguishing between northern and southern borders, highlighting the difficulty in measuring region-specific trends.

Testimony from the U.S. Congress and Department of Justice indicates that seizures at the northern border during fiscal years 2022 and 2023 represented enough fentanyl to potentially kill an estimated 3.4 million Americans. In contrast, authorities estimate they intercept only 5–10% of smuggled fentanyl at the southern border. This disparity highlights both the higher volume moving through the south and growing security concerns along the U.S.-Canada line.

Wikipedia notes that Matt Hall is a Republican politician who has served in the Michigan House of Representatives since 2019. Initially representing District 63 and currently District 42, he became House Minority Leader in 2023 and was elected Speaker of the House in January 2025. Hall has positioned himself as a leading conservative voice focused on fiscal discipline, public safety, and oversight of state government.