Price: Republicans Act Strongly to Control the Border

Price: Republicans Act Strongly to Control the Border

Rep. Tom Price (GA-06-R) issued the following statement after passage of three pieces of legislation this week that will continue to address the crisis of illegal immigration.

"House Republicans have shown the American people that we are dedicated to addressing the problem of illegal immigration and controlling our borders," said Price. "This week, we continued that push by passing three important pieces of legislation that will give our law enforcement agencies the tools they need to deal with the flow of illegal immigration. It is disingenuous to ask the people who protect our borders to do their job successfully without the law on their side."

"Numerous field hearings were held over the summer on various issues associated with illegal immigration. Republicans in the House have listened to the American people and responded to their concerns. We simply must know who is entering our country. I call on the Senate to act responsibly and pass these House bills."

Community Protection Act of 2006

* Strengthens laws against illegal immigrants found participating in alien gang activities - including the authority to detain or deport and would make those detained ineligible for asylum or protected status.
* Authorizes the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to renew the detention period of illegal immigrants detained who cannot be deported. Currently, DHS is limited to a sixth month period.
* Authorizes DHS to apply the same procedures used for expediting aggravated felons to other criminal aliens. Currently, proceedings for non-aggravated felons can be long and exhausting.

Immigration Law Enforcement Act of 2006

* Affirms the authority of state and local law enforcement to investigate, identify, apprehend, arrest, detain and transfer to federal custody illegal immigrants.
* Closes loopholes that make it hard for DHS to enforce a "catch & return" policy instead of a "catch & release" policy.
* Increases the number of attorneys needed to prosecute alien smuggling cases.
* Asks the Attorney General to establish uniform guidelines for the prosecution.

Border Tunnel Prevention Act of 2006

* Increases the penalties for individuals to build, finance, use or allow the construction of tunnels across the American border.

http://tom.house.gov/html/release.cfm?id=164