WASHINGTON, D.C. — Standing with 44 sheriffs from 35 states in the blazing sun, Bristol County Sheriff Thomas M. Hodgson announced a crowdfunding website to help "Build the wall" Wednesday during a Capitol Hill news conference.

⁦“Enough is enough. The American people are ready to stand with America’s sheriffs,” Hodgson said via his Twitter account, @BCSO1.

"If Congress isn't going to do it, the sheriffs of this nation are going to do it," he told The Standard-Times late Wednesday afternoon. "We're going to do our best to keep this nation safe."

Hodgson said the wall will help "stop the flow of MS-13 gang members, drug cartels and other criminal illegal aliens who continue to walk right into the United States unabated."

"We believe the people of our nation are ready to stand with America's sheriffs to jump-start one of the most significant public safety and border security programs in our nation's history," he said.

A crowdfunding website to finance the construction of a wall is the idea of the National Sheriffs' Association and Hodgson was picked to announce its formation because of his strong advocacy for it.

The website, www.sheriffswall.org, is sponsored by the National Sheriffs' Association, which also sent a letter to Congress in March urging action on building a wall along the Texas border with Mexico. That letter was signed by 380 sheriffs, including Hodgson, Barnstable County Sheriff James M. Cummings and Plymouth County Sheriff Joseph D. McDonald Jr.

"All the sheriffs are 150 percent behind it," Hodgson said.

Hodgson was on Capitol Hill to meet with White House officials on illegal immigration and urge Congress to act on pending legislation to increase border security, according to his office.

Wednesday afternoon, the sheriffs participated in a roundtable discussion at the White House with Vice President Mike Pence and other officials. It was hosted by the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs.

At the end of the day, Hodgson escorted Trump and Pence into the room for a gathering of sheriffs at the White House in the afternoon.

"You and your administration have given law enforcement its footing back and given law enforcement the support and tools necessary to protect the people in our neighborhoods, communities and our entire nation," Hodgson said to Trump.

Hodgson then presented Trump with a custom-made plaque featuring a badge and the inscription: "There's a new Sheriff in town — In appreciation for your support of our efforts to enforce our nation's laws — America's Sheriffs."

"It's been an awesome day," Hodgson told The Standard-Times as he got into a cab for the ride back to his hotel.

Follow Curt Brown on Twitter @CurtBrown_SCT