| | | Key Republican Border Security Accomplishments This Year - Secure Fence Act (Signed into Law) – Legislation authorizes construction of 700 miles of reinforced fencing along the southwest border.
- FY 2007 Homeland Security Appropriations Conference Report (Signed into Law) – Legislation funds critical measures designed to strengthen America’s border security, providing $21.3 billion for border protection and immigration enforcement. It also provides:
- $2.77 billion for border patrol, adding 1,500 new Border Patrol agents, for a total of 14,800;
- $1.2 billion for border fencing, vehicle barriers, technology and infrastructure; and
- $4.2 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
- Border Tunnel Prevention Act (Signed Into Law) – Legislation makes it a crime to knowingly construct, finance, or allow the construction of an unauthorized tunnel across a U.S. international border. Individuals caught using such a tunnel to smuggle aliens, contraband, drugs, weapons, or terrorists face penalties of more than 20 years in jail.
In July and August, congressional committees held a series of 21 hearings hearings in 13 states on border security. These hearings strengthened our ability to craft strong border security legislation like the Secure Fence Act.
Earlier this year, House Republicans announced a set of five principles to be reflected in immigration reform legislation. Republicans want to enact a strong bill that secures our borders and puts a premium on strict enforcement of our immigration laws. The goal is to send a bill to President Bush that reflects these principles: - Republicans strongly support initiatives to secure our borders and provide additional resources to federal and state authorities to strengthen border patrol efforts.
- Republicans strongly support strengthening enforcement and stiffening penalties for illegal immigrants who break our immigration laws.
- Republicans support enforcing the law on employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants and holding them accountable.
- Republicans oppose efforts to reward the behavior of illegal immigrants who have made the choice to break our laws.
- Republicans believe the success of our country depends on newcomers obeying the law, assimilating into American society by learning English, and embracing our common identity as Americans.
Above all else, the American people expect us to secure our borders and make sure we effectively enforce of our immigration laws, and that’s exactly what Republicans are pushing for. |
