Dr. Coburn Co-Sponsors Border Control Legislation

Dr. Coburn Co-Sponsors Border Control Legislation

Bill adds more Border Patrol agents, fence along southern border and gives local law enforcement ability to protect their citizens

U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn, M.D. (R-OK) today announced he has co-sponsored legislation aimed at securing America's borders by stopping the flow of illegal immigration and strengthening control of our borders through additional border agents and security equipment.

"America has long been a welcoming nation, but we are a nation ruled by law. Tolerating illegal immigration undermines the rule of law and poses a threat to our national security. The Constitution gives the federal government no greater responsibility than the defense of the nation," Dr. Coburn said. "We have the technology to secure our borders, but Congress for too long has lacked the political will to do so. Any debate on illegal immigration in this country must begin with securing our borders. All other concerns at this point are secondary."

Key provisions of the Border Security and Interior Enforcement Improvement Act of 2005 would:

* Build a border fence and dramatically increase border agents/officers and personnel.
* Give state and local law enforcement officers the ability to protect their citizens from illegal immigration - while being properly reimbursed by the federal government for their costs of dealing with illegal immigrants.
* Increase detention bed space and requiring countries to accept their citizens back in a timely manor.
* Increase penalties for alien gang activity while making it easier for the federal government to deport illegal immigrants who are members of gangs.

http://coburn.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=News.PressReleases&month=11&year=2005&id=182