Border Security is National Security
Border Security is National Security
December 5, 2005
Last week, President Bush gave a major speech unveiling his new plan to secure America through immigration reform. His proposal is helpful in that it places the national spotlight on what I consider to be one of America's biggest challenges - our border security. While I applaud the President for making the issue a priority, I believe we must do more. To be truly effective, immigration reform must remove the incentive for illegals to come to America.
The statistics are stunning. For the last decade, more persons have entered America illegally than legally. What's more, it is estimated that between 12 and 20 million illegal aliens are currently in the United States. These numbers do not indicate a "problem" with immigration and border security, they represent nothing short of a complete "failure" of the system.
The task of securing our borders is essential, not only to keep out-of-control immigration in check, but also to help stop the flow of illegal drugs from Latin America and to block a path for terrorists seeking to enter this country to do us harm. This complicated mixture requires a response designed to deal with all three threats. The sheer volume of illegals overwhelms border and law enforcement officials who cannot distinguish whether an illegal is looking for work, trafficking drugs or a potential terrorist.
I will note that the recently-passed Fiscal Year 2006 Department of Homeland Security Act, which is now law, provides a significant $3.4 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) - an increase of $302 million over last year. The additional funds will cover new holding cells for 20,000 more detainees, hire 100 more immigration enforcement agents, and provide much-needed training for state and local law enforcement. Separately, Congress has approved $7.1 billion in 2006 to beef up border crossing security and hire 1,500 additional border patrol agents. These actions will certainly help, but will not significantly halt America's illegal immigration problem.
As long as illegals have a reward that is worth the risk of dangerous border crossings they will continue to come into our country. With employers looking the other way or unable to verify the status of illegals, the Federal government talking of amnesty for illegal workers, and U.S. law allowing children born in this country to illegals to become automatic citizens, there is little immigrants feel they have to lose in making an illegal border crossing.
Accordingly, I have cosponsored the Enforcement First Immigration Reform Act (HR 3938). It does not create a new guest worker program as the President and some in Congress want, but rather toughens existing enforcement, increases detection of illegal workers, and penalizes their employers. Border patrol agents would increase by 10,000 and local law enforcement would be allowed to assist in apprehending and deporting criminal aliens. Federal fines and jail terms for hiring illegals would also be raised. Because the new 14-mile robust steel and wire border fence near San Diego is showing such positive results in stemming illegal traffic, I have cosponsored the TRUE Enforcement and Border Security Act (HR 4313) to extend its length from California to Texas.
I am also a cosponsor of legislation (HR 698) to end the practice of granting automatic citizenship to children born of illegals, thereby removing another major incentive for illegal immigration.
Comprehensive action is the only way to address America's illegal immigration dilemma. Stemming the flow of illegals will better enable law enforcement to do their jobs of protecting our borders and our communities. Something must be done soon.
http://wwwc.house.gov/everett/news/columns/col_120505.asp