Luetkemeyer Urges Obama to Commit to Securing Borders Against Illegal Immigrants

Congressional Documents and Publications
October 5, 2009
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DOCUMENTS

Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO) News Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-9) and his House colleagues sent a letter to President Obama about the urgent need to secure our nation's borders and encouraged the president to provide the funding needed to support border agents, who are instrumental in securing our nation's borders.

"Securing our borders is a top national security priority. Border agents that patrol the southern border with Mexico play an instrumental role in this effort.

As the fiscal year begins, we urge you to allocate the number of border agents necessary to protect our nation's borders," wrote Luetkemeyer and his colleagues.

"Recent reports of rampant violence reinforce the urgency with which we need to secure the southern border.

Now is not the time to reduce the number of agents protecting the United States along the border with Mexico."

Luetkemeyer said an incident in his district highlights the potential consequences of illegal immigration.

An illegal immigrant who lived and worked Hannibal for three years was arrested on February 28 after telling police he killed two people.

The illegal immigrant had several previous run-ins with law enforcement, but his immigration status was never questioned.

"We must secure our borders because failing to do so puts our families, communities and our national security at risk. We cannot afford to just sit back and let illegal immigration continue to go unchecked because there is simply too much at stake," Luetkemeyer said.

"I am hopeful that the president and this administration will listen to the majority of Americans who believe we need to provide the resources to defend our borders."

During a hearing before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Field Operations Todd Owen estimated that only 697 miles of the Mexican border are under effective control, leaving more than 1,200 miles of the southern border vulnerable to illegal crossings by drug smugglers, terrorists, human traffickers and other criminals.

The U.S.-Mexico border is 1,954 miles long.

Luetkemeyer is a supporter of the Secure America through Verification and Enforcement Act of 2009. The bill increases border patrol agents by 6,000.

It also utilizes new technology and infrastructure to secure the border and expands anti-smuggling enforcement programs.

In an effort to save taxpayer dollars, it creates a pilot program to increase aerial surveillance, satellite and equipment sharing between the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Defense.

The bill also works to end unlawful employment by expanding the E-Verify program and makes the program mandatory for all employers.

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