Issue Position: Homeland Security

Issue Position

Securing our country and preserving our freedoms are the critical goals of homeland defense. Beyond protecting against those who seek to harm us, defending America requires preparation for and response to natural disasters and accidents.

Terrorism

Congressman Matheson supports actions to strengthen our homeland defense and prepare the United States to combat attacks by foreign and domestic terrorists. He believes that terrorists should be held responsible for their actions and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law- including by military tribunals. Beyond domestic preparedness, Congressman Matheson also believes it is vital for Congress to continue working globally to address the underlying problems of international terrorism.

Border Security

Congressman Matheson believes a well-managed border is critical to our national security. He has consistently voted to improve our nation's border security by hiring additional border patrol personnel, improving transportation and cargo security, and developing a better entry/exit system to track foreign nationals.

Matheson has voted to increase penalties for smuggling drugs, humans, weapons of mass destruction, or other illegal items; stop terrorist aliens from naturalization; prevent aggravated felons from gaining lawful admission to the US; require employers to verify the legal status of all job applicants; increase the penalties levied against employers who hire illegal workers; authorize the construction of 700 miles of fencing along the Mexican border and evaluate security needs on the Canadian border; create new criminal penalties for the construction of illegal tunnels under the border; and increase and reaffirm that state and local law enforcement officers have the authority to apprehend illegal immigrants and transfer them to federal custody.

Matheson also believes we need reform that makes common sense fixes to flaws in the current system, increase the tools available to enforcement agencies, create a system of accountability so that everyone plays by the same rules, and ensure that we know exactly who is and who is not in our country at any given time.

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