Franks Introduces Bill to Secure American Borders

Statement

Congressman Trent Franks (AZ-02) today announced the introduction of The National Border and Homeland Security Act of 2010, a bill that would secure American borders through more funding, more border patrol agents, stricter sentences for lawbreakers, and more advanced equipment to detect weapons of mass destruction:

"Border security and national security are inextricably linked. A porous border is an open invitation to those who wish to harm America, and for too long our borders have been an especially inviting access point for drug smugglers, human traffickers, and potential terrorists.

"Just one nuclear weapon provided to terrorists by a rogue nation like Iran and smuggled across our border could bring social cataclysm to our country and would forever change America's national security equation. Such scenarios are not at all unrealistic, considering Iran's relentless pursuit of nuclear weapons and the fact that terrorist organizations like Hamas and Hezbollah maintain long-running ties to South American drug cartels. Indeed, recent reports indicate that Hezbollah may now be operating near America's southern border. To address these potentially disastrous vulnerabilities, I have introduced The National Border and Homeland Security Act of 2010, which addresses the major components necessary to securing our porous borders.

"Along with Arizona Senators John McCain and Jon Kyl, I requested that President Obama immediately send 6,000 National Guard troops to the U.S.-Mexico border. The President responded by sending 1,200. This bill addresses the Administration's failure by creating 6,000 new full-time positions for border patrol agents. Unfortunately, an increase in manpower is not enough, if those who are sent to the border have their hands tied. Currently, about 40% of the land between California and El Paso, Texas is controlled by the federal government, much of it in national parks and wildlife refuges where border patrol agents are often prevented by the federal government from doing their jobs. My bill would give the Border Patrol the critical access they should have always had to these lands, which are well-known hotbeds of criminal activity.

"Finally, my bill creates further deterrents for would-be illegal border crossers and better equips our border patrol agents to protect our national security by providing them with the advanced equipment necessary to scan for nuclear materials.

"Securing our borders, especially from terrorist and WMD incursion, is critical to the task of protecting our homeland. The National Border and Homeland Security Act of 2010 would finally do that by removing an incredible burden from border states like Arizona and better providing for the protection of every person in America."

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