Border Security A Top Priority of Mine
Border security and immigration issues have dominated debate in Washington, D.C. and the country alike. This is one of the most important issues facing our country right now, and I have been a strong advocate for an “enforcement first” approach.
Members in the House, understanding the urgency of this issue, took swift action on border security last year. In December, we passed comprehensive legislation that takes important steps to prevent illegal immigration, hold lawbreakers accountable, and protect American citizens. Currently, the Senate is debating the issue of border security and immigration in hopes of passing legislation in the next several weeks. I have serious concerns about the Senate’s proposal, and believe that it sends the wrong message to our citizens. Once the Senate passes an immigration bill, a panel of House and Senate negotiators will work together on a compromise border security bill.
While I agree that the entire immigration system in our country should be overhauled in the near future, successful immigration policy begins by securing our nation’s border. I have been down to the border a few times in the past year, and I can assure you that we have a crisis on the Texas border. Many estimate that up to one thousand illegal immigrants are crossing the U.S./Mexico border every night. Stopping this tidal wave of illegal immigrants coming over the border must be our first priority. There are a number of ways to accomplish this, and the bill I worked to pass in the House of Representatives would allow for increased personnel and resources along the border.�
I support the combination of a virtual fence along with an actual fence at points along the border. In less populated areas, unmanned drones, sensors, and surveillance cameras could prove to be effective tools in monitoring the border. In limited areas, an actual fence would help border patrol agents by slowing down the flow of illegal immigrants crossing the border.�
I believe the National Guard’s presence on the border will offer immediate assistance to a strained border patrol. I do believe, however, that the National Guard could be more effective in a more direct law enforcement role if approved by local authorities. Utilizing the additional manpower and technology resources that the Guard has to offer is an important and immediate way to make our border more secure. The long term solution is to put significantly more border security personnel and more technology on the border.
I remain strongly opposed to any sort of an amnesty program. If you reward illegal immigrants with citizenship, that is amnesty, simply put. I do not believe that illegal immigrants should be rewarded for breaking our laws, while millions of immigrants are waiting in line to become American citizens. One Senate proposal makes this problem even worse, almost encouraging people to say they’ve been in our country illegally longer in order to get a fast track to citizenship.
As a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, which provides funding for Customs and Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, I will monitor the Department’s budget requests to ensure that border security and immigration initiatives receive the support they deserve.
I will also push for initiatives that will allow for a system of 100 percent catch and return. This week, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) opened a facility in Taylor, Texas that will hold illegal immigrant families. This is only the second facility of its type in the country, and will help ICE house the increased number of illegal immigrants detained as a result of ICE’s “Secure Border Initiative.” We must put an end to “catch and release” of illegal aliens.
I have heard the concerns of constituents throughout the District regarding immigration and border security. And I remain committed to keeping our border secure and Americans safe. I have also discussed this issue with members of my Hispanic Advisory Council, and many of them believe that we have a crisis on the border and that it has to be stopped.�
You can be sure that I will do everything within my power as a U.S. Congressman to see strict border security and immigration laws implemented and enforced. I continue to lend my full support to the legislation passed by the House as a comprehensive approach to handling our nation’s border security needs. It is time that we implement and enforce real border security reform now.
June 19th, 2006 at 2:05 pm
I think that it is high time that we get tough on illegals. We need a national identification system like all the EU countries have. This ID must be presented for school enrollment, medical, all gov’t financial aid programs.
English our national language should be the only language on any government form or application.
We need to start holding Mexico accountable regardless of individual citizenship of the flood of illegals and return then back to the place they attempted to enter our country. The most effective why is sending them a bill to cover our costs in processing illegals and by stopping all U.S foreign aid.
We have to take a hard stand and stop giving people a free pass.
June 23rd, 2006 at 1:25 pm
You leave out some very important facts:
1. The illegal aliens flood here due to businesses hiring illegal aliens.
2. Its illegal for businesses to hire illegal aliens.
3. Business is circumventing the free market by hiring illegal labor. American citizens cannot compete with slave labor.
So, employers must be arrested and jailed for breaking our laws. The government must start enforcing our existing laws instead of voting themselves pay raises and enjoying perks from lobbyists and PACS.
When the average american citizen breaks federal laws, they go to jail, they do not get a slap on the hand.
This is an invasion, unprecedented in history, and our government does nothing.
June 26th, 2006 at 12:04 pm
I completely agree that employers should be held accountable for hiring illegal immigrants. The border security bill that I helped pass in the House has provisions that will address this issue by increasing fines for employers that knowingly hire illegal aliens. I am, however, going to continue to urge stricter penalties and actual enforcement of those sanctions for employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants.
June 27th, 2006 at 9:56 am
Thank you, Congressman, for starting this blog.
In spite of all the coverage this issue has gotten in the media, I still wonder if our elected officials - generally - understand how important this issue is to so many Americans. For example: some will offer the concern that if you stopped illegal immigration without a “guest worker” program, the economy could enter a recession. Question: Ask me and my family if we care!
I’m not sure that I buy that economic argument anyway - but even if it were true I’d prefer a recession to an effectively open-border policy that, I believe, ultimately undermines the sovereignty of our country.
July 11th, 2006 at 7:52 pm
Thanks for this blog, sir.
You know I have read every Tom Clancy book he has authored and he has an uncanny knack of incorporating future events in his books. The most recent book details a deal made between drug cartel leaders from Central America and terrorist, each with their own independent agenda and not caring what the other was up to. While this may seem off subject, Clancy uses the lack of border security to fuel his book of how 3 terrorist groups are smuggled across by a drug cartel arranged “coyote” relatively untouched. Is his book far off of what could happen? I personnaly think not! President Bush says in his interview with Laura at his side that it is not “if” but “when” we will have another attack. While that is chilling to consider, my Dad always said, “Fool me once shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on ME!”
Kudos to those who are recognizing the lack of border security. We are going to have to maintain a constant vigilance and I appreciate that Congress in a bipartisan effort is looking at this. Please do not let it fall by the wayside. Clancy’s books are excellent fiction, and need to stay a work of fiction!
July 12th, 2006 at 6:34 am
I could never understand how our President could allow the obvious invasion of illegal immigrants into our country to continue unabated until I started hearing about the SPP (Security and Prosperity Partnership) which was signed by all three heads of state of Canada, Mexico and the US in Waco, Texas in 2005.
This agreement, carried to it’s ultimate conclusion will create an American Union modeled after the European Union with it’s own currency, government and yes - open borders.
Because of this agreement and our President’s inclination to support and advocate it’s goals, it would not be in his best interest to “secure” the borders. This is why we have seen no serious effort on the part of this administration to solve this problem.
July 18th, 2006 at 11:14 pm
Just as the (Congress) legislated the definition of “Marriage”… I think the congress should put on the floor - “What is the definition of ‘illegal’… in the term.. ‘illegal’ alien.”
Kind Regards
August 11th, 2006 at 4:41 pm
I just received your mailing on the Immigration and Border Security. I can only say that I agree with you. I do nit think we should give the illegal immigrants what we have had to work all our lives for. I have been working since I was 12 years old. I am now 65 so that is a long time to work. I took 20 years out to serve in the United States Air Force. I normally support Mr Bush, but I have to take exception on this issue.
Regards
August 20th, 2006 at 12:17 pm
Dear Representative Carter:
While security (eliminating terrorism at the source) should be a top priority and concern. What you are talking about with the boarder in Mexico is an immigration issue, but should not be your top concern. Taxes, spending, and stopping terrorism at the source are your top priorities (US Gov). All your energies should be focused:
1) Reducing taxes
2) Reducing spending
3) Protecting US citizens world-wide (citizens residing in or out) by attacking terrorism at is source
So please focus on your true “top” priorities - immigration is concern, but not one of these.
Best Regards,
Jeff Hanan
Austin, TX
September 8th, 2006 at 3:28 pm
I believe that the border must be secure, and as soon as possible!! This will stop the flow. But I also believe that we need a process to deall with the people already here in our country. Most of these people have been here for many years. They have children that were born here. So there should be a path for them to become legal.I do not believe they need to become citize. That, they will do on their own if they so desire. In this path to legalization have to be included at the top the criminal (or not) record of the person. We must not allow criminals to stay.
September 12th, 2006 at 12:56 am
I am a one issue voter for all future election cycles. Stop the invasion! Plus, I have a long memory.
Since the protests last Spring, I have done research. It is likely the equivalent of one-half Mexico’s current population will have migrated to the U.S. over a 50 year span. WHY SHOULD I NOT BE APPALLED?
The English speaking population in this country seem to be in ignorant bliss about the people moving in. Does anyone get translations of what politicians, writers, and regular people are doing and saying in Mexico? Well, (1)the elites in Mexico are loving their demographic takeover of the U.S. (2) Most Mexicans are taught that the U.S. stole the Southwest from them. (3) The Mexican government is throwing lawsuits at every opportunity to thwart our law enforcement attempts.
Oh, did you hear that 70% of the births at Parkland Memorial Hospital (it’s big) in Dallas, TX are to illegal immigrant women?
Yeah, you better believe this is a disaster for us!
I want a secure border with Mexico, and I want illegal employers punished. The first amnesty in 1986 excacerbated this influx, so I do not want any path to anything for the 20-30 million who are here illegally. Please, don’t give that baloney figure 12 million!
September 29th, 2006 at 1:20 pm
Sir,
Illegal immigration is an insidious situation. Most of the illegals are not terrorists or criminals (except for breaking the immigration laws), but their huge numbers is having a serious impact on our country and culture. I have many family members (mostly Hispanic) living in Southern California so I visit there often. Where I grew up in Los Angeles is now no different than any third world city! California may be too far gone to save and unfortunatey Texas is heading down the same path. I watch the Spanish language television every day, focusing on the news programs, to give me an insight into what they are saying and what people are hearing. La Raza is alive and well in the hearts and minds of many of our population, not just illegals. The children of illegals at birth in the US become citizens but in their hearts and minds they are not Americans: they are Mexicans or Hondurans or Guatemalans, the culture and values of those countries. They have brought their culture with them and are being told by their leaders and the media that they have a “right” to this country. Building a wall will not keep most of them out because what are leaving is so bad they are willing to risk all to escape. Our only hope of keeping our culture in tact is to absorb them into OUR culture the same way the Irish, Italian, German, etc. immigrants were absorbed. They have to register and we have to make English THE language of this country. New Americans who come her to share our country are OK. Aliens who come here to change our country into their country is not OK.
September 29th, 2006 at 3:11 pm
Thank you for not supporting amnesty for the illegal immigrants. I believe that this would sustain the belief amongst illegal immigrants that they can break the law and that nothing will ever happen to them. I believe that this is a very dangerous message that is being sent! I applaud Congreeman Carter for recognizing this fact and sincerely hope that he continues to back such efforts, as fencing some of our border, increased surveillance w/ cameras, and continued support for the National Guards continued presence along our border.
October 1st, 2006 at 10:15 am
I am a one issue voter until the issue of illegal immigration is solved. I, along with many other middle-class americans, are simply disgusted with the absolute lack of leadership in America to stop the non-violent overthrow of the United States by Mexico.
I am frustrated by individuals who type-cast pro-enforcement individuals as being racist. I personally have never met a culture of individuals as racist as the students I met while I was a graduate student at UT-El Paso. I was regularly called “gringo” , laughed at in class, and often spoken to as “pinche gringo”. I learned first-hand from the student base that the idea of Reconquista is a reality.
The reality is that most of suburban America does not see this as a threat to our country. They do not see areas such as Oak Cliff (Dallas), or inner city public schools and hospital budgets such as Parkland. Many of my childhood suburban friends (all pro-business Republican) view the issue as a non-issue. As long as their personal assets are growing due to this illegal labor, they scoff at the issue affecting our country.
I feel that the hard working american citizen is doomed by the effects of illegal immigration and the typhoon-like flood over the last 15 years. This is a problem that, unfortunantly, will continue to deteriorate our country.
Conversely, I believe that legal immigrants are an overall positive for our country. Illegal Immigrants from Mexico specifically (vast majority) are different. The difference is not skin color. The difference is that we are receiving the poorest and least educated citizens from Mexico. This is in sharp contrast to the percentage highly-educated legal immigrants that we receive from Asia, Africa and other areas of the world. Basically, the Mexican government is laughing all the way to the bank. Send your poorest citizens to the U.S. Let U.S. taxpayers pay for their healthcare, educations, etc. Next, have these citizens then send home their money to Mexico (remittances are either Mexico’s #2 or #3 source of GDP), and realize that the Reconquista is working beautifully. Remember that the Mexican American war was unjust and that the imperialist Gringo’s glory days are over.
October 3rd, 2006 at 4:25 pm
Congress passes laws, and the Executive branch ignores them. What are the use of new laws when the existing ones are ignored or set aside by way of “signing statements”?
Congress has the Constitutional right and responsibility to FORCE the Executive to enforce the laws of this country.
Step up to the plate and perform that duty.