http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=72489

Speaker Hastert Praises Passage of Secure Fence Act

House Republicans Unveil the House Border Security Package While 131 Democrats Vote Against Border Security

9/14/2006 7:01:00 PM


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To: National Desk

Contact: Ron Bonjean or Lisa C. Miller, 202-225-2800

WASHINGTON, Sept. 14 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Speaker of the House J. Dennis Hastert (R-IL) today issued the following statement after passage of H.R. 6061, Secure Fence Act of 2006. The bill passed 283-138-1 with 131 Democrats voting against the measure.

"Every year, nearly one million illegal immigrants cross into America. This is a clear threat to our safety. Some of these people are coming for work, but countless others are drug dealers, gang members and some are even terrorists. That is why building this fence is common sense. And if we build the fence, it will be harder for them to come here illegally.

"It should concern the American people that 131 Democrats voted against creating this security fence along our southern border. They don't want border security; instead they would rather jeopardize our national security and put Americans at risk.

"House Republicans have already dedicated billions of dollars for border security in our appropriations bills, but it is clear that more action is necessary. Our chairmen told us their recommendations on Tuesday. We took their recommendations and didn't waste a minute. The House Republican Leadership has a border security package that we will move through the House quickly."

House Republicans are consulting with the Senate on the best ways to get these items to the President. These measures will:

-- Provide more border patrol agents

-- Strengthen security through fencing and additional infrastructure

-- Make enforcement stricter at our borders

-- Enhance state and local law enforcement authority

The time to address this border security emergency is now - before Congress leaves for the November elections.

House Republicans' "Border Security Now" September Agenda

Strengthening Security Through Fencing and Additional Infrastructure

-- 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. Provides the necessary authority to border personnel to disable fleeing vehicles.

-- 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.

Providing 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.

Providing Stricter Enforcement

-- 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.

-- Alien Gang Removal Act: Prohibits alien gang members from entering the U.S. and allows for detention and deportation of alien gang members already within the country.

-- 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.

-- 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.

-- 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.

-- 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.

Enhancing State and Local Law Enforcement Authority

-- 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 United States in order to assist in the enforcement of immigration laws.