Today
President Bush signed into law a bill that is aimed at securing our border and
stopping the flow of illegal immigrants into our country. In September,
Congress sent the Secure Fence Act to the President in response to what has
become a nationwide epidemic. Congressman Chocola, an original co-sponsor of
the bill and a strong advocate for securing our border and toughening laws to
stop the flow of illegal immigration, introduced this bill because of the vocal
opinions of his constituents.
“I
spend a lot of time talking to folks in this district and the one thing I have
been hearing consistently is that we need to secure our borders,” commented
Chocola. “I joined my colleagues in introducing this bill because I agree with
them that we can’t have a country without borders and it is vital for the
safety of our families and our communities that we get a handle on the illegal
immigration problem.”
The
bill provides for over 700 miles of two-layered reinforced fencing along the
southwest border with prioritized placement at critical, highly populated areas
and requiring an evaluation of infrastructure needs along the northern border.
It also mandates that the Department of Homeland Security achieve and maintain
operational control over the entire border through a “virtual fence” that
deploys cameras, ground sensors, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), and
integrated surveillance technology.
Border
fencing has proven to be an especially effective deterrent against illegal
immigration. As an example- in 1996, Congress mandated the construction of a
14-mile fence along the San Diego-Mexico border to stop drug trafficking and
the flow of illegal immigration. In the region, illegal alien apprehensions
have dropped from approximately 200,000 in 1992 to about 9,000 in 2005 and
crime rates have dropped by 47% since construction of the fence.
Although
the 2nd District of Indiana is not in a border area, illegal
immigration has still surfaced as an issue important to citizens in the 2nd
District as witnessed during a forum held by Congressman Chocola in August to
hear from area experts about the effects of illegal immigration on communities
right here in Indiana.
“We
have an unsustainable system,” commented Chocola. “Our healthcare system, our
social service system, our educational system, and our law enforcement system
cannot continue to bear the burden that illegal immigration poses. There is a
way to immigrate into this country legally, and we should be encouraging people
who take advantage of that system, and not rewarding those who don’t.”
