Legislative Update: Strengthening Our Border Security

Statement

Legislative Update: Strengthening Our Border Security

Dear friends,

In this post-9/11 era, we are confronted with an unavoidable duty -- recognizing that border security is a key component to our national security. A nation cannot be secure if its borders are not secure. In the wake of 9/11, it is unacceptable that we have lost control over who is in our country and where they are. That is why, on August 10, I voted for legislation during a special session of Congress to boost border security, put more agents on patrol and protect our communities along the southern border.

This emergency border security legislation, which was passed with broad bipartisan support, provides $600 million in funding to shore up our border -- including more than $240 million to hire 1,000 new Border Patrol agents and 250 new Customs and Border Protection agents. By providing this funding, we are strengthening our border security and providing the necessary resources to combat violence along the border.

This legislation will provide funds to deploy unmanned drones to fly along our southern border and supply our patrol officers on the ground with real-time information on unlawful border crossings. It will also improve communications capabilities between federal border enforcement and state and local officers along the border. It will help Immigration and Customs Enforcement conduct investigations of drug-runners, money-launderers, and human traffickers. And, it will provide nearly $200 million to increase the number of ATF, DEA and FBI agents and bolster the number of prosecutors and court resources along the border so that wrongdoers can be immediately brought to justice.

Throughout my time in Congress I have remained committed to addressing important border security and immigration issues. In previous sessions of Congress I voted for bills that would further address these issues, bills like the Secure Fence Act. This legislation, which was signed into law, adds physical barriers along portions of the U.S.-Mexico border to our south, including reinforced fencing, all weather access roads, lighting, cameras, and sensors.

I also supported legislation to protect American workers and law-abiding businesses from the unfair competition created by a massive illegal workforce; and provide the tools, resources, and infrastructure necessary to enforce existing immigration laws and penalize offenders. Those seeking to come to the United States should be required to wait their turn under existing laws and come here legally. I support imposing fines against employers who hire illegal immigrants. It is unfair to legal immigrants who play by the rules when illegal immigrants disregard our laws.

Furthermore, I have expressed my support for Arizona's tough, new immigration law. This law requires police to question people about their immigration status as they enforce other laws if they suspect the person is in the country illegally. I am opposed to the Administration's lawsuit which questions the constitutionality of this new law. I believe that Arizona is acting out of pure necessity, illegal immigration has reached epic proportions and we must act. As a nation, we need to focus on securing the U.S. & Mexican border -- not on suing states that pass tough immigration laws.

It is essential that we restore law and order to our borders and immigration system. A strong border is one of the central pillars of national security. As your United States Congressman, I am doing all I can that to ensure Congress lives up to its most important responsibility -- protecting our nation.

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