Alexander Votes For Measure To Strengthen Border Security

Press Release

ALEXANDER VOTES FOR MEASURE TO STRENGHTEN BORDER SECURITY

U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN) today cosponsored legislation that passed the Senate providing $3 billion in emergency funding for border security improvements.

"This shows we are serious about border security," Alexander said. "Border security on paper means nothing. It requires boots on the ground, jeeps on the roads and unmanned aerial vehicles in the air. Strengthening our enforcement of immigration laws must occur before others reforms can go forward, and this bill is a crucial step towards making that happen."

The legislation cosponsored by Alexander - the Border Security First Act of 2007 - was approved 89 to 1 by the Senate as an amendment to the Department of Homeland Security appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2008.

The border security amendment requires and provides funding for the following, among other things:

Operational control over 100% of the U.S.-Mexico land border within two years
· 23,000 Border Patrol agents hired, trained, and reporting for duty

· 4 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles & 105 ground-based radar and camera towers

· 300 miles of vehicle barriers & 700 miles of border fencing

· A permanent end to the "catch-and-release" policy with 45,000 detention beds.

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