Providing For Consideration Of H.R. 4830, Border Tunnel Prevention Act Of 2006; For Consideration Of H.R. 6094, Community Protection Act Of 2006; And

PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 4830, BORDER TUNNEL PREVENTION ACT OF 2006; FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 6094, COMMUNITY PROTECTION ACT OF 2006; AND FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 6095, IMMIGRATION LAW ENFORCEMENT ACT OF 2006 -- (Extensions of Remarks - September 29, 2006)

SPEECH OF HON. BETTY McCOLLUM OF MINNESOTA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2006

* Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4830, the Border Tunnel Prevention Act.

* We need to secure our borders and ensure the safety of our country. The Border Tunnel Prevention Act is one positive step toward preventing criminals from entering our country unnoticed and illegally. This law creates new penalties for anyone using a tunnel to smuggle people, drugs or weapons into the United States. This effort is another tool for law enforcement and border security to begin to address illegal immigration and to aid in their efforts to keep our communities safe.

* I have heard numerous times from Minnesota law enforcement agents about illegal drugs that pass through the Twin Cities on a regular basis, much of it originating south of the border and intended for the U.S. or Canada. While our law enforcement has made progress in shutting down meth production in the U.S., 80 percent of this dangerous drug comes from ``superlabs'' in Mexico. No legislation can entirely stop the flow of illegal drugs into our country, but this bill will add increased provisions to punish those who smuggle drugs into the U.S.

* Madam Speaker, I am pleased to support H.R. 4830 today as a first step in what I hope will be a comprehensive effort to address immigration reform and the challenges law enforcement faces in keeping our communities and our country safe.

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