PALM SPRINGS, CA, Oct 26 -

Today, Congresswoman Mary Bono (CA-45) applauds the President for signing The Secure Fence Act of 2006, H.R. 6061. The Secure Fence Act is one part of a comprehensive legislative effort to combat illegal immigration; and was passed in the House of Representatives in September 2006 by a vote of 283-138.

"I am pleased that the President is in full support of this Congress' effort to address America's call to protect our national security by strengthening our borders," said Bono. "It is the responsibility of our government to ensure the safety and security of its people, and I believe that having a secure border is a fulfillment of that responsibility. Regaining control over our borders is of the utmost concern for our national and economic security."

The Secure Fence Act of 2006 mandates the construction of hundreds of miles of additional fencing along our Southern border and allocates more vehicle barriers, checkpoints, and lighting to prevent people from entering our country illegally.

"This bill authorizes the Department of Homeland Security to increase the use of advanced technology like cameras, satellites, and unmanned aerial vehicles to reinforce our infrastructure at the border," stated Bono. "We must fully evaluate our infrastructure needs along the northern border; and while I am strong on border security, interior and workplace enforcement, I also firmly believe that true immigration reform must work in tandem with a non-amnesty guest worker program. I believe in a program that would provide a legal system for a migrant workforce to work in our country within the system rather than unlawfully," stated Bono.

Since 2001 federal funding has doubled for border security, from $4.6 billion in 2001 to $10.4 billion this year. In addition, there has also been an increase in Border Patrol agents – and by the end of 2008, the number of Border Patrol agents is expected to have doubled. Over the course of five years, more than 6 million people entering America illegally have been apprehended and returned home.

The FY2007 homeland appropriations bill provides $1.2B in funding for the construction of a border fence and border security measures (vehicle barriers, tactical infrastructure and technology).

In addition to the $1.2B for fence construction, the FY07 appropriations bill includes:

• $2.77 billion for border patrol, adding 1,500 new Border Patrol agents;
• $4.2 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE);
• $3.1 billion for the Coast Guard’s homeland security missions;
• $1.38 billion for ICE custody operations, adding 6,700 detention beds, for a total of 27,500;
• $238 million for transportation and removal of undocumented aliens;
• $600 million for Air and Marine Operations for border and airspace security;
• $183 million for a total of 75 fugitive operations teams nation-wide, an increase of 23;
• $137 million for the Criminal Alien Program;
• $362 million for the US-VISIT program; and
• $135 million to support immigration verification systems.

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