Washington, D.C., Dec 2, 2005 -

The United States has come to a crossroads in our nation’s border security policy.  We must make changes now to ensure any loopholes in border security and management of illegal immigrants are closed before it is too late.  The Department of Homeland Security bears the burden of protecting our nation’s borders and enforcing our nation’s immigration laws, and Congress must give them the necessary tools to do their job and keep our citizens safe.

On November 17, 2005, the House Committee on Homeland Security, of which I am a new member, unanimously voted in favor of H.R. 4312, the Border Security and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2005.  Introduced by Committee Chairman Pete King (R-NY), the bill increases surveillance along the border, adds 8,000 new border agents and 32,000 detention beds over the next four years.  Additionally, the bill requires mandatory detention of illegal aliens, therefore eliminating the Department of Homeland Security’s current dangerous “catch and release” policy.

I was pleased to support this bill not only because of these tough enforcements but also because it included a provision from my own legislation, H.R. 4253, the Illegal Alien Transport and Removal Act.  My provision authorizes DHS to engage in competitive contracts with companies to help them manage domestic transportation of illegal immigrants, such as to and from deportation hearings, detention facilities, and/or to a point of departure for them to return to their home country.  As DHS eliminates its dangerous “catch and release” policy, we will encounter astronomical expenses in managing these illegal aliens.  Allowing the Secretary to competitively contract with companies providing the best combination of security, quality, and cost will free up DHS resources and ensure that the “catch and release” policy is gone for good.  I am pleased and humbled to have been able to contribute to this in-depth resolution to our border security problems.

The United States is a beacon of hope to all those striving for a better life; however, our nation’s splendor is cheapened when its laws are broken.  Further, I support using an electronic verification system to verify a person's eligibility to work in the U.S.  I am pleased that the President and my colleagues in Congress are making significant strides toward securing our borders and stopping illegal immigration once and for all.