Martina Valverde-KFOX Morning News Reporter

Updated: 6:22 pm MST December 27, 2010

EL PASO, Texas -- When New York republican Peter T. King takes over the Homeland Security Committee, he said he will introduce legislation to secure the borders, which he said has been lacking under President Barack Obama's administration.

"Five or six years we've seen these great, brave attempts at passing comprehensive immigration reform, really regardless of whose in power it always gets right there and then they just can't get the votes to make it pass," said El Paso city representative Susie Byrd.

One of King's ideas to secure the border is to expand a program that gets local police departments to arrest suspected illegal immigrants.

"We already have stress on police departments, to add another task without any resources would again put us in a really difficult position of trying to secure our communities, keep it safe for everyone who lives here," said Byrd.

Byrd said she worries about safety if King gets his way.

"If the people believe that the local police department is going to enforce immigration status, they will be less likely to report those crimes," said Byrd.

One Texas lawmaker is also attacking illegal immigration.

Republican Lamar Smith said he wants to encourage workforce raids to make sure businesses aren't hiring illegal immigrants and wants to encourage businesses to use the free online site E-verify to make sure their employees can legally work in the U.S.

"It's important to enforce in the workplace since you have so many employers specifically recruiting people who are here illegally," said Byrd.

Byrd still hopes there is a chance this session for comprehensive immigration reform.

"Maybe we need to find more legal avenues for people to get here and contribute to our community," said Byrd. http://www.kfoxtv.com/news/26293180/detail.html