Moran Supports Strengthening U.S. Borders

Press Release

Moran Supports Strengthening U.S. Borders

Votes in Favor of Homeland Security Legislation

Congressman Jerry Moran supported stronger U.S. border protection included in the Homeland Security Appropriations Act. The legislation provides funding to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and includes provisions to increase border patrol agents, border security fencing, infrastructure and technology.

The legislation also requires DHS to conduct threat assessments for the terrorist detainees being held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. It requires that DHS ensure that those terrorist detainees are placed on its "no-fly" list and denied an array of immigration benefits, including admission into the United States and refugee status.

"Kansans I speak with across the state continually express their desire for Congress to tackle the problem of illegal immigration," said Moran. "My first priority for any immigration reform legislation is to make sure our borders are secure. This appropriations bill doubles the number of border patrol agents that were employed before 2001. Additionally, it keeps our citizens safe from the threat of Guantanamo terrorist detainees entering our country once they have been released. Providing safer and stronger U.S. borders is a common-sense approach to decreasing illegal immigration and terrorist threats."

The DHS legislation also includes provisions to extend E-Verify for two years. During debate on the bill, Moran voted for an amendment to increase funding for E-Verify to improve the Internet-based system that allows employers to check the legal status of newly hired employees and the validity of their Social Security numbers. Moran has been a sponsor of legislation that would have required all employers to verify the legal status of workers.

The DHS legislation would fund more than 20,000 border patrol agents.

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