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Perryville Suntimes News - Emerson votes for border security bills

Date: Sept. 22, 2006
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Immigration Criminal Justice


Emerson votes for border security bills
Perryville Suntimes News
September 22, 2006

Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) Thursday lent her support to three border security measures designed to crack down on illegal immigration. The Community Protection Act, the Immigration Law Enforcement Act, and the Border Tunnel Prevention Act all passed in the U.S. House of Representatives.

"Our border security is a top priority for homeland security. There are many facets to this debate, but it is clear that we must address the weaknesses of our borders before we can even begin to have a substantive discussion about immigration reform. As long as illegal aliens, gang members and narcotics can be smuggled into our country, we have a serious problem that demands an aggressive response," said U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson.

The Community Protection Act is a measure to expedite the removal of criminal aliens, especially gang members. The Immigration Law Enforcement Act would increase the number of U.S. attorneys assigned to prosecute illegal aliens, a change which is needed since only six percent of illegal aliens were prosecuted in 2004. The bill would also end the "catch-and-release" of illegal aliens, who were told to return to a U.S. court for a hearing 30 days after their capture. Finally, the Border Tunnel Prevention Act would enact criminal penalties of up to 20 years in prison for tunneling beneath the U.S. border for the purposes of smuggling.

"Together, these three legislative actions send a strong message that we are going to enforce tough laws against those who undermine the laws of our nation along the U.S. border. I am particularly concerned that we lack the personnel and resources to enforce our borders, so I have voted repeatedly to add funding and manpower to the border security effort. With the gaps in our fences and tunnels beneath our borders, it is clear that the U.S. government must regain control of this situation in short order," Emerson said.

http://www.joannemerson.com/newsdetail.aspx?NewsID=114

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