This evening I am introducing the Secure America’s Borders Act (SABA) to improve our nation’s security along our borders.

In a post 9/11 world, border security is a matter of NATIONAL security.

We need secure borders, and the simple fact is, right now, we don’t have them.

SABA focuses specifically on border security, interior enforcement and employer enforcement.

I know this is an important issue to many of you, so here are some of the specifics:

Over the next six years, my bill will add nearly 15,000 additional border protection agents to augment the 20,000 Customs and Border Protection agents already on the job (2,400 new agents annually)
Specifically authorizes 1,250 border agents and 1,250 port-of entry inspection agents
Requires Defense Department cooperation on the border, e.g. unmanned drones
Begins process of building a 1,951 mile virtual barrier across every inch of our border with Mexico that will combine walls and fences in high traffic areas and sensors to let our Customs and Border Patrol Agents see and hear those who try and cross through low traffic areas
Requires fingerprint database connectivity between FBI and Border Patrol
Interior Enforcement specifics:

Increases alien smuggling penalties with a mandatory minimum of 5 years
Adds criminal penalties for various immigration-related document fraud
Mandate the use of expedited removal for aliens apprehended within 100 miles of the border and 14 days of entry
Employer Enforcement specifics:

Establishes nationwide, mandatory verification program for hiring workers
Limits the number of acceptable hiring documents with REAL ID standards
Authorizes 2,000 new worksite enforcement agents and 1,000 anti-fraud agents
Together these measures will make our borders safer and more secure. This legislation is a good starting point, but we still need to do more.

We need to look at ways to balance our nation’s security interest with our economy’s labor needs.

We should examine what role National Guard units might play in border enforcement.

And in the long term, our nation needs to look at ways to encourage democracy and prosperity abroad, which will in turn reduce the number of people coming to America because they feel it is their only option.

Securing our borders is not an insurmountable problem. Americans have shown throughout our history, that if we focus our creativity, energy, resources and resolve, we can achieve anything.

We must always remember that we are a nation founded by immigrants. But we are also a nation founded on the rule of law. And when people don’t respect our laws, it’s our job to enforce them.

This legislation is a good first step …

I encourage you to spread the word to co-workers, friends and family. Leave a comment on a popular online message board or online discussion group, email your Senators and representatives, send an instant message or write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper.

Get people involved and encourage them to raise their voice and make themselves heard.

More to follow in the days ahead…

Written by Bill Frist, M.D.

http://www.volpac.org/index.cfm?FuseAct ... &Year=2006