Dear Mr. MARINCIC:



Thank you for writing to me about illegal immigration and the need for improved enforcement of our immigration laws. I appreciate hearing your views on this important matter.



I am committed to strengthening our government's ability to secure our borders and enforce our immigration laws.



During the last Congress, I voted for the Secure Fence Act of 2006, which authorized the construction of 700 miles of additional fencing along the country's southwestern border and provided for 1,500 additional Border Patrol agents. I also co-sponsored a bill that created stricter penalties for the illegal construction of tunnels under the border and fought vigorously for the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program, which reimburses states for the costs of incarcerating illegal immigrants.



To expedite these efforts, Congress recently approved an additional $1.2 billion in emergency spending for border security measures as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2008, which was signed into law on December 26, 2007. This funding provides for the construction of 700 miles of border fencing, including cameras and sensors.



I am also working to strengthen the enforcement of our immigration laws through an overhaul of our broken immigration system. The Senate recently debated S.1639, an immigration reform bill. S.1639 would require employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all employees within three years of the bill's enactment and would authorize the Social Security Administration to disclose taxpayer information to the Department of Homeland Security


for the purposes of worksite enforcement. Although S.1639 failed to get the 60 votes needed to move forward, be assured that I will continue to fight for measures that reduce illegal immigration and strengthen our control over our borders.



Again, thank you for writing to me. Please feel free to contact me again about this or any other issue of concern to you.

Barbara Boxer
United States Senator