FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 3, 2005
CONTACT: Chris Paulitz
SENATOR HUTCHISON SIGNS OFF ON DEAL SECURING FUNDING TO PROTECT AMERICA'S BORDER
New bill provides border security funding and sets stricter immigration standards
WASHINGTON, DC -- Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), one of the conferees for the Fiscal Year 2005 Emergency Defense supplemental bill, today signed off on a deal that provides $253 million in border patrol funds. Sen. Hutchison played a leading role in brokering the deal that was based on her amendment to the Fiscal Year 2006 Budget Resolution to fund the full 2,000 border patrol agents authorized by the Intelligence Reform bill. The 500 agents funded in the supplemental bill will be a down payment on the 2,000 and she will continue to work for the balance in the regular appropriations process.
The final version of the spending bill signed by Sen. Hutchison today also includes stricter immigration and asylum standards. The remainder of the Senate and House conferees are expected to sign the conference report today which will allow the House to vote on the bill later this week. The Senate will vote on the bill when it reconvenes May 9.
“September 11 and new intelligence reports serve as constant reminders that we must strengthen our borders as a main line of defense. We must secure our borders and implement stricter identification requirements that will slow the tide of illegal aliens – with possible terrorist ties – living within our borders,” Sen. Hutchison said. “The War on Terror is being fought on multiple fronts which is why I insisted this wartime legislation address border security as well as funding for our troops.”
The $253 million in border patrol funds will provide for 500 border patrol agents, 50 U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigators, 168 detention officers, 1220 detention beds and $7 million for officer training. Sen. Hutchison was an integral player and worked late into the night as the border patrol numbers were finalized.
Other domestic security measures included in the bill are immigration provisions based on those dropped from the National Intelligence Reform Act of 2004. Specifically, these provisions set standards of proof for asylum seekers. Weak asylum laws have been a vehicle used by terrorists to enter or remain within our borders once they arrive. The new immigration law allows for the protection of honest asylum seekers while preventing terrorists from claiming persecution just to stay in the United States.
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