Press Releases - Bonilla Applauds Passage Of Three Landmark Border Security Bills

BONILLA APPLAUDS PASSAGE OF THREE LANDMARK BORDER SECURITY BILLS

Washington, D.C. - Today Congressman Henry Bonilla voted for three major pieces of legislation that will help increase border security and crack down on illegal immigration. The three bills passed by the House of Representatives were the Immigration Law Enforcement Act of 2006, the Community Protection Act of 2006 and the Border Tunnel Prevention Act of 2006. The Immigration Law Enforcement Act includes language from legislation Congressman Bonilla proposed in June to overturn the Orantes Injunction, a dangerous loophole that allows thousands of illegal aliens to remain in our country every week.

"The security of our nation's border is a pervasive problem that threatens our national security and endangers the lives of those living in our border communities. Between the drug traffickers and human smugglers, life along the border has become dangerous and the time to act is now. These three bills can make an immediate impact in securing our borders and securing our nation," said Rep. Bonilla.

"Since being elected to Congress, through consistent communication and regular tours and visits, I have fostered a strong working relationship with the law enforcement officials in the counties along Texas' border with Mexico. I have fought for more technology and to double the number of border patrol agents, but we still must go farther," said Rep. Bonilla. "Through increased enforcement efforts along our border and successful programs such as Operation Streamline II, Texas has been able to curb the number of drugs and illegal immigrants crossing our border, but there is more work to be done. The passage of these three pieces of legislation is a major step towards improving our nation's border security."

The three bills are:

H.R. 6095, the Immigration Law Enforcement Act of 2006

Reaffirming the Authority of State and Local Law Enforcement to Enforce Immigration Laws. The Immigration Law Enforcement Act reaffirms the inherent authority of state and local law enforcement to voluntarily investigate, identify, apprehend, arrest, detain, and transfer to federal custody illegal immigrants. Many state and local law enforcement officers want to assist in the enforcement of immigration laws, and they can play a valuable role in assisting federal law immigration officers.

Increasing Prosecutions of Alien Smugglers. United States attorney offices do not have uniform guidelines for the prosecution of alien smuggling offenses, and many of these offices face a tremendous workload and are unable to prosecute a sufficient number of alien smuggling cases. As a result, our Border Patrol agents see many of the smugglers they apprehend go free. The Immigration Law Enforcement Act authorizes an increase in the number of attorneys to prosecute alien smuggling cases, and expresses Congress' sense that the attorney general should establish uniform guidelines for the prosecution of alien smugglers.

Imposing "Catch & Return" Instead of "Catch & Release." The Immigration Law Enforcement Act helps close loopholes that have hurt the Department of Homeland Security's ability to enforce immigration laws. For example, an injunction dating from the El Salvadoran civil war of the 1980s prevents DHS from placing Salvadorans in expedited removal proceedings, even though the civil war has long since ended. DHS uses expedited removal proceedings to quickly remove illegal immigrants who are apprehended along the Southern border, in order to end the policy of "catch and release," where illegal immigrants have been released into the general population while they await deportation proceedings. Many criminal gangs have exploited these loopholes, which this bill would help close.

"While many who cross our nation's border illegally on a daily basis are simply looking for a better life, many ruthless criminals and members of gangs such as Mara Salvatrucha, otherwise known as MS-13, and members of drug cartels are exploiting this loophole in our legal system to thwart our immigration laws and enter into our communities. They are presenting an immediate danger to the lives of people in every Texas community and across the United States of America," said Congressman Bonilla. "For over 14 years I have worked to raise awareness on Capitol Hill about the crisis facing our border communities. This legislation, which is based on legislation I introduced back in June, would remove obstacles that prevent our government from effectively enforcing the immigration laws that Congress intended."

H.R. 6094, the Community Protection Act of 2006

Detaining Dangerous Aliens Who Are Unable to be Deported. The Community Protection Act ensures that dangerous illegal immigrants who cannot be deported will not be released into society. Many illegal immigrants being detained by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are unable to be deported for a variety of reasons. Yet under current law, DHS cannot detain these illegal immigrants for more than six months, even if the individual has committed a violent crime or represents a threat to national security. As a result, hundreds of criminals are released back onto our streets. This legislation allows such illegal immigrants to be detained for periods of six months at a time, and then allows for the period of detention to be renewed. It also provides for judicial review.

Expediting the Removal of Alien Criminals. The Community Protection Act allows the Department of Homeland Security to use the same expedited procedures available for the removal of aggravated felons to remove other criminal aliens who are not permanent residents and are otherwise ineligible for relief. At the present time, these aliens are placed in lengthy removal proceedings even though they are not eligible for any relief.

Detaining and Deporting Alien Gang Members. The Community Protection Act toughens laws against alien gang members. Under the bill, an illegal immigrant who is found to be part of a criminal street gang would be subject to detention, deportation, and would be ineligible for receiving asylum or temporary protected status.

"Too many criminals are able to exploit our immigration laws and make a mockery of our nation's honorable system of justice," said Congressman Bonilla. "Those who choose to enter our nation illegally and then break our laws should not then be rewarded by being released into our communities where they can continue to victimize our citizens."

H.R. 4830, the Border Tunnel Prevention Act of 2006

Criminalizing the Construction and Financing of Border Tunnels. The Border Tunnel Prevention Act enacts criminal penalties of up to 20 years' imprisonment for individuals who knowingly construct or finance the construction of an unauthorized tunnel across a U.S. international border. In addition, individuals who recklessly permit the construction of such a tunnel on their own property are subject to imprisonment of up to 10 years. Individuals caught using such a tunnel to smuggle aliens, contraband, drugs, weapons, or terrorists are subject to twice the penalty that would have otherwise been imposed.

"Individuals who build tunnels across our U.S. border are obviously using them as means of smuggling illegal aliens, drugs or weapons into our country," said Rep. Bonilla. "The future of our national security demands that we give our law enforcement officials the authority to arrest, prosecute and punish those who build, finance or facilitate the construction of these tunnels."

http://bonilla.house.gov/Default.aspx?section=news&page=09_22_06_Border