Throughout the year-long Congressional debate over illegal immigration, critics of a real border fence have scoffed at the idea of protecting our borders first.  Most of this opposition has come from Senate liberals who advocate amnesty for illegals already here.  One has to wonder why?  When our laws are broken those who do so should be punished, not rewarded.  For sure, Mexico does not look kindly upon foreigners who violate its borders as news reports have revealed many Central Americans wind up in Mexican jail for years for trying to illegally enter that country.

The United States is a sovereign land and has the legal right and responsibility to protect the integrity of its borders.  With an estimated 12 million illegal immigrants already in America, growing at a rate of 700,000 to 800,000 a year, it is clear the nation is not able to effectively control its borders.  A border fence will certainly help to enhance other efforts already in place to stop illegals.

In September, the U.S. House passed the Secure Fence Act (HR 6061) by a margin of 283 to 138.  I joined the entire Alabama delegation in voting for it.  Also last month, the U.S. Senate followed the House's lead by passing the Secure Fence Act without any amendments. The legislation provides for the construction of 700 miles of double-layered, reinforced fencing along the U.S.-Mexican border in the portions of Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas that are the most utilized by illegals to enter the United States. 

As many following the current immigration debate already know, the U.S. House also called for an effective border fence when we passed our more comprehensive immigration reform legislation in December.  Unfortunately, the U.S. Senate ignored the House and approved immigration reform legislation that failed to protect our borders while allowing amnesty for illegals now in America.  That clearly inadequate Senate legislation is now on hold.

I will note that the 2007 Homeland Appropriations Act which was signed into law by the president on October 6 provides an initial $1.2 billion to construct the border fence with vehicle barriers and high tech border monitoring.  The Act goes further by adding 1,500 new Border Patrol agents bringing that force to a level of 14,800.

The September 11 terrorist attacks served as a wake-up call to the vulnerabilities of our immigration system.  We need a clear enforcement strategy that reduces the threat posed by those who violate our immigration laws.   The passage of the Secure Fence Act and the supportive measures in the Homeland Appropriations Act are a good first step.  Real immigration reform begins with border security.