September
14, 2006
House Republicans
Unveil September "Border Security Now" Agenda
House Republican
leaders today announced their September "Border Security Now" agenda.
The agenda includes ten border security priorities that House Republicans will
pass before the end of the month. The first item on the list, the Secure Fence
Act, passed the House today. After holding more than twenty border security
field hearings in the month of August, House Republicans are taking action that
will strengthen border security now.
The
Republican September agenda for securing the borders includes the following ten
items:
More Border Fencing and Improved Surveillance Technology
· Secure Fence Act: Authorizes the construction of
700 miles of reinforced fencing along the southwest border. Mandates that
the Department of Homeland Security achieve operational control over the entire
border through a "virtual fence" that employs cameras, ground
sensors, and unmanned aerial vehicles; and provides the necessary authority to
border personnel to disable fleeing vehicles. (House Passed 9/14/06)
Funding for Secure Border Initiative
· Homeland Security Appropriations
Act for Fiscal Year 2007: Provides $3.98 billion for the Secure Border Initiative, the
president's plan to gain operational control of our borders over the next 5
years. Provides $161 million for border security technology, including
aerial surveillance and unmanned aerial vehicles.
Funding for More Border Patrol Agents
· Homeland Security Appropriations
Act for Fiscal Year 2007: Provides $2.33 billion in funding for the United States Border
Patrol, including funds for 1,200 new border patrol agents, to support a
workforce of 13,580 agents. Also provides $2.65 billion for Immigrations
and Customs Enforcement (ICE), including funding for an additional 1,212 ICE
agents and officers, for a total of 11,500.
"Catch & Return," not "Catch &
Release"
· Fairness in Immigration
Litigation Act:
Ends outdated injunctions that prevent the effective enforcement of immigration
laws and has led to "catch and release" policies. Gangs, such as
MS-13, have exploited these loopholes, and many criminal aliens have been
released onto our streets.
Detention and Deportation of Alien Gang Members
· Alien Gang Removal Act: Prohibits alien gang
members from entering the
Expedited Removal of Alien Criminals
· Criminal Alien Removal Act: Allows for expedited removal of
alien criminals who are not permanent residents. Currently, these aliens
are placed in lengthy removal proceedings despite the fact that they are
ineligible for relief.
Increase in Prosecution of Alien Smugglers
· Alien Smuggler Prosecution Act: Authorizes an increase in the
number of federal prosecutors for alien smuggling cases and encourages the
attorney general to establish uniform guidelines for prosecution of smuggling
offenses.
Criminalization of Construction and Financing of Border
Tunnels
· Border Tunnel Prevention Act: Creates criminal penalties of
up to 20 years' imprisonment for knowingly constructing or financing the
construction of unauthorized tunnels at the border to stop the possible
smuggling of aliens, contraband, drugs, weapons, or terrorists.
Detention of Dangerous Aliens Unable to be Deported
· Dangerous Alien Detention Act: Allows for the continued
detention of dangerous aliens under orders of removal for more than six months
if they cannot be removed within the six month timeframe. Currently the
Department of Homeland Security has no choice but to release many criminal
aliens back into our country when they cannot be removed in six months.
Reaffirm Authority of State and Local law Enforcement to
Enforce Immigration Laws
· State and Local Law Enforcement
Cooperation in the Enforcement of Immigration Law Act: Reaffirms the authority of state
and local law enforcement to voluntarily investigate, identify, detain, and
transfer to federal custody aliens in the
House
Republican Conference Press Office
202a Cannon
HOB
(202)
226-9000