Gordon Votes For Border Security Legislation

September 21, 2006, WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon voted today (Sept. 21, 2006) for legislation aimed at increasing security of the nation’s land borders and enforcement of immigration laws.

“The unregulated flow of people across our borders poses a serious threat to our national security,” said Gordon. “The 9/11 Commission pointed to our vast land borders as a potential way for terrorists to gain entry into our country.

“We must get serious about securing our borders and enforcing our nation’s laws.”

With Gordon’s support, the U.S. House of Representatives approved H.R. 4830, the Border Tunnel Prevention Act; H.R. 6094, the Community Protection Act; and H.R. 6095, the Immigration Law Enforcement Act. The measures now go to the U.S. Senate for consideration.

The Border Tunnel Prevention Act would impose a sentence of up to 20 years for anyone who constructs or finances an illegal tunnel into the U.S. Anyone who allows their land to be used for a tunnel would face a sentence of up to 10 years.

The bill also doubles the penalties for using a tunnel to smuggle people, illegal goods, drugs or other illegal items into the U.S.

Gordon said the bill could help to keep methamphetamine out of Middle Tennessee communities.

“If we address this problem at our borders, local law enforcement won’t have to address it in our communities,” said Gordon, who co-sponsored the Border Tunnel Prevention Act.

The National Drug Intelligence Center reports that although domestic meth production has decreased, Mexican drug trafficking organizations are making up the difference. According to the center, the amount of meth seized at the U.S.-Mexico border increased by 75 percent from 2002 to 2004.

The House also passed the Community Protection Act, which would restore the Department of Homeland Security’s authority to detain dangerous aliens, ensure the removal of deportable criminal aliens and take steps to combat alien gang crime.

The third bill, the Immigration Law Enforcement Act, would allow state and local law enforcement officers to apprehend and detain illegal aliens they encounter in the course of their normal duties. Detainees would be transferred to U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement.