Fencing Measures Advance Border Security, But Work Remains
photo by James Tourtellotte During the 109th Congress, we have taken many actions to improve our nation's border security. Just this fall, I voted to approve two such border security measures: The Secure Fence Act of 2006 (HR.6061) and the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act for FY2007 (HR.5441).
The Secure Fence Act authorizes the Homeland Security Department to provide at least two layers of reinforced fencing and additional physical barriers, roads, lighting, cameras, and sensors at certain points along the Southwest Border. The law specifies such assets to be placed from five miles west of New Mexico's Columbus port of entry to 10 miles east of El Paso, Texas.
This legislation also requires the Homeland Security Secretary to take actions to achieve and maintain operational control over the U.S. international borders, including "systematic surveillance . . . through more effective use of personnel and technology" and "physical infrastructure enhancements . . . such as additional checkpoints, all weather access roads, and vehicle barriers."
The $34.8 billion Homeland Security Appropriations Bill for FY2007 (HR.5441) provides funding to begin carrying out significant border security measures. This spending law makes almost $1.2 billion available next year for border fencing, infrastructure and technology. With supplemental funding already approved, Congress is investing more than $1.51 billion in FY2007 for border barriers, infrastructure, and technologies. Specific to New Mexico, we approved $7.463 million for vehicle barriers in the Deming sector of our border with Mexico.
Fencing alone will not stop illegal activities on the border. It also requires manpower, and we are allocating $8 billion for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), including funds for 1,500 new Border Patrol agents. This will bring the total number of border patrol agents securing our borders to 14,819 agents next year. These new agents will be trained at the Border Patrol Academy at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Artesia, where we continue to invest in expanding and upgrading the campus.
In addition, Congress approved $84 million for CBP helicopters, $20 million for unmanned aerial vehicles, and $232.9 million for facilities construction along the border. I expect some of these resources to be directed to the El Paso Sector, including New Mexico's border region.
We have provided $3.9 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which is charged with investigating and enforcing immigration and customs laws. These funds include $1.4 billion for investigations and intelligence, $1.98 billion for detention and removal of illegal immigrants, and $153.4 million for additional detention bed space at ICE detention facilities.
All of this new funding builds on funds we provided for homeland and border security in FY2006. For FY2006, the Department of Homeland Security received funds to hire 1,000 new Border Patrol agents. Congress also provided $3.1 million for vehicle barriers in the Deming sector, $20 million for Border Patrol aircraft, $10.2 million for unmanned aerial vehicles, and $77.4 million for 2, 240 new detention beds.
Our border security needs are many, but the Secure Fence Act of 2006 and new funding for 2007 are indications that Congress is making progress towards controlling our borders. The job is not done, but I am proud to have supported legislation that I believe will advance our ability to control our borders in the years to come.
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