Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005
BORDER PROTECTION, ANTITERRORISM, AND ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION CONTROL ACT OF 2005 -- (House of Representatives - December 16, 2005)
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Mr. CARDIN. Mr. Speaker, it is absolutely critical that Congress pass meaningful and effective border security and immigration reform. Since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Congress has taken significant steps to secure our border and prevent another terrorist attack on our soil. Congress created the Department of Homeland Security, DHS, and a strong Director of National Intelligence, which constituted the largest reorganization of our law enforcement and intelligence services since WorId War II.
I supported the bipartisan version of the homeland security and immigration reform bill that passed the House Homeland Security Committee last month. As a former member of the committee, I agree that the United States must: move rapidly to establish operation control of all borders and ports; end our ``catch and release'' practice of aliens apprehended crossing the border illegally; effectively organize the border security agencies within the Department of Homeland Security; and promote international policies to deter illegal immigration.
I also agree with the former 9/11 Commissioners, who recently issued a report which concluded that Congress and the administration have much more work to do to make America safer, and gave our Government fair to poor grades for our current level of border security. I agree that Congress and the administration should take immediate action to: produce a terrorist travel strategy to intercept and disrupt their operations; create a comprehensive screening system for travelers; create a biometric entry-exit screening system for all land borders; improve international collaboration on borders and document security; and standardize secure identifications.
I am disappointed, therefore, that the leadership of the House of Representatives has failed to allow the House to take up a comprehensive homeland security and immigration reform bill that addresses the pressing vulnerabilities in our border security. The bill before the House, passed on a party-line vote in the Judiciary Committee, is not a balanced, thoughtful approach to the issue. This bill is a punitive bill which is neither enforceable nor workable. This bill has little chance of enactment. Border security is too important and should be included in legislation that can be quickly enacted.
This legislation is opposed by a vast number of groups from across the political spectrum, including businesses, labor unions, faith-based organizations, civil rights organizations, human rights organizations, and immigrant advocacy organizations.
I therefore ask my colleagues to reject this legislation.
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