Issue Position: Securing Our Borders

Issue Position

Nearly 11 million individuals currently live in this country illegally, placing an undue burden on America's taxpayers. Congressman Altmire believes that to properly respond to this ongoing crisis, the federal government must start by securing our borders and enforcing current law.

The Secure America Through Verification and Enforcement (SAVE) Act
In the last term of Congress, Congressman Altmire joined with his colleagues to introduce the SAVE Act (H.R. 3308), a commonsense solution to the nation's immigration problem. This legislation refocuses our efforts on employment verification, adds new border patrol agents, and reinforces current immigration laws. Starting with these initiatives is the quickest way to secure our borders.

Enhancing Border Security
Congressman Altmire is committed to making America's borders more secure and has voted numerous times to hire additional border patrol agents and finish construction of the U.S.-Mexico border fence. Since taking office, Congressman Altmire has helped to put 9,000 additional border patrol agents on the job, an increase of more than 70 percent since 2006. To make sure our border patrol agents have the support that they need to find and stop illegal immigrants, Congressman Altmire has also repeatedly voted to improve surveillance technology along the U.S.-Mexico Border.

Visit to the U.S.-Mexico Border
In November 2007, Congressman Altmire traveled to the U.S.-Mexico border to see firsthand how our nation's customs and border patrol agents handle the flood of illegal immigrants coming into our country. While there, he also traveled to the border fence to view the progress being made. This trip reaffirmed his belief that our agents working on the border are doing an excellent job with the resources available to them. We must continue the fight to provide them with the necessary resources to fulfill their mission of securing our borders.

Prohibited Illegal Immigrants from Receiving Federal Benefits
Congressman Altmire has twice amended legislation to ensure that illegal immigrants do not receive federal benefits. In April 2008, he joined with his colleague, Congressman Bill Foster of Illinois, in offering an amendment to deny federal assistance to small businesses that employ illegal immigrants. Additionally, in May 2008, he offered an amendment to bar illegal immigrants from receiving housing assistance through the Neighborhood Stabilization Act (H.R. 5818).

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