Washington, Sep 21 - U.S. Rep. Dave Weldon, M.D. (R-FL) today joined a majority of House Members in approving three border security measures, moving Congress closer to securing our porous borders before it adjourns.  Among other things, today’s measures crack down on illegal smuggling of aliens across our borders and end the egregious practice of “catch and release,” whereby apprehended illegal immigrants are released into the general public and asked to come back in a few weeks for deportation hearings.  

“Earlier this year, Senate Democrats killed the House’s comprehensive border security bill,” said Weldon, a member of the House Immigration Reform Caucus.  “They insisted on amnesty first, border security later.  Meanwhile, common criminals, drug dealers, gang members, terrorists, and illegal immigrants continue to flood across our broken borders, exploiting our weak immigration laws and endangering our communities. The three bills approved today show the American people that the House Republican leadership will not address immigration reform until America’s borders are secure.”

Measures approved by the House today include:

H.R. 4830, The Border Tunnel Prevention Act of 2006 – Last week, federal authorities discovered an underground tunnel used to, among other things, secretly smuggle illegal immigrants, drugs and who knows what else under the U.S.-Mexico border.  H.R.  4830 establishes stiff penalties, including up to 20 years imprisonment, for those who knowingly participate in the construction or financing of an unauthorized tunnel across an international U.S. border.  Those who use such tunnels for illegal purposes face double the current penalty for their various crimes. The measure passed 422-0.

H.R. 6095, The Immigration Law Enforcement Act of 2006 – H.R. 6095 reaffirms the role of state and local law enforcement agencies in prosecuting those who smuggle illegals into the U.S.  It also authorizes the federal government to help state and local authorities prosecute smugglers, many of whom currently go free due to overburdened enforcement personnel.  Additionally, the measure ends the practice of “catch and release,” which enables apprehended illegal immigrants to go free as they await deportation hearings. According to Weldon, this policy is joke as 70% never show up for their deportation hearing. After rejecting a Democrat attempt to gut the bill, the measure passed on a largely party-line vote, 277-140,

H.R. 6094, The Community Protection Act of 2006 – H.R. 6094 closes a variety of loopholes in immigration laws, including one that allows illegal immigrants – even those convicted of violent crimes – who cannot be immediately deported to go free after six months in custody.  To keep dangerous criminals off our streets, H.R. 6094 would permit authorities to hold convicted illegals for multiple six-month terms, as well as removes legal barriers to expedite their deportation.  After rejecting an effort by Democrats to kill the bill, the House overwhelmingly approved the measure (328-95).

Weldon further noted that polls clearly show Americans want our borders secured.  “I hope my Senate colleagues have seen the light, and will finally acknowledge that border security matters to the American people,” Weldon concluded.