Today we welcome a panel of witnesses to discuss the Secure Border Initiative, otherwise referred to as SBI.  Testifying before us is Greg Giddens, the SBI Program Director; Julie Myers, the Assistant Secretary for Immigration and Customs Enforcement; and Deborah Spero, the acting Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection.  For all of you, this is your first appearance before this Subcommittee, so we welcome you and appreciate you appearing today.

 

It is no secret that our borders remain a major security liability.  I have been dealing with the problem of illegal border crossings throughout my 26 years in Congress and the one thing I am certain of is that throwing more and more money at the problem simply does not work.  Since 1995, we have quadrupled spending on border security, from $1.2 billion to $4.7 billion, and more than doubled the number of Border Patrol Agents from 5,000 to 12,381; yet during that same time period, the number of illegal immigrants in the U.S. has jumped from 5 million to over 11 million.  Despite these dramatic spending increases, we really have done nothing more than kick the can down the road with solutions that are largely symbolic rather than effective.  What this tells me is that this is much more than a simple matter of money.

 

What we need is a new approach, a comprehensive strategy that puts together the right mix of resources to address the most critical vulnerabilities along our borders and coastlines, while also taking into account the economic realities of immigrant labor.  This strategy must set realistic targets and achieve measurable results in both the short and long term.  This strategy must not be limited to only our land borders.  The smuggling of contraband—whether its narcotics, humans, terrorists, money, or weapons of mass destruction—is a threat by land, air, and sea. 

 

The fiscal year 2006 Appropriations Bill set a bold new mandate by requiring you to submit a comprehensive immigration enforcement strategy that will reduce the size of the illegal immigrant population by 10% each year.  This mandate was intended to make clear that we are not only serious about addressing border security, but that there must also be a strategic and comprehensive approach to this persistent problem.  And we look forward to seeing that strategy by its due date of April 17^th.

 

Over the past few months, we have heard a great deal about the SBI.  We have been briefed by Secretary Chertoff and were impressed with what appears to be a more efficient and effective approach to border security and immigration enforcement.  But, as is always the case, the devil is in the details. 

 

The Secretary testified just one month ago before this Subcommittee that he would like to secure our borders within three years.  To say the least, that’s an ambitious goal and one that will demand a tremendous investment of resources. 

 

We’ve been at this juncture before.  We have been presented with expensive proposals for elaborate border technology that have eventually proven to be ineffective and wasteful systems such as the Integrated Surveillance Intelligence System and America’s Shield Initiative.  Today we are looking to fund and implement the SBI.  What we want to understand is simple: how does the SBI differ from previous attempts?  Or, to put it more directly, how is the SBI not just another three letter acronym for failure?  We do not want more of the same tired formula of throwing money at a problem with limited results. 

 

The fiscal year 2007 budget request includes a $1.3 billion increase for SBI.  This is a staggering sum and one that does not even include all of DHS’ border security and immigration elements such as US-VISIT.  Despite the enormous price tag, the SBI request does not include a strategic plan that clearly lays out how we are going to get from the present state of insufficient border security to operational control of our borders, coastlines, and airspace.  Without question, much of the SBI budget request, such as increases to staffing of Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement could be put to good use—but how do you know that items such as $100 million in technology and $51 million in desert tactical infrastructure are needed when you have yet to put into place an SBI resource plan or award the primary SBI contract?  Without seeing your strategic plan, how do we know that this $1.3 billion is the right investment and not just another money pit?  When presented with questions like this, we apply a simple formula: no plan equals no money.  We are serious when we request a plan – without it, you are simply planning to fail. 

 

Collectively, you all represent the elements of the DHS system designed to tackle the issue of border security.  You also have one thing in common – none of you were in the position you currently hold just one year ago.  So with your fresh perspective, we are counting on you to right this ship and put in place an integrated system that will prove to be an effective teamwork of DHS’ border security and immigration components. 

 

The task before you is certainly not easy.  Providing for the security of our borders is one of the core reasons DHS was created and is one of our top homeland security priorities.  So as the responsibility of this great task is passed to all of you, know that our standards are high: we expect to see results and failure is not an option.  I assure you that no one wants to see you succeed more than the Members of this Subcommittee.

 

We appreciate you all appearing before the Subcommittee today to discuss the Department’s border security strategy.  Before you begin, I would like to ask our distinguished ranking member, Mr. Sabo, for any comments he wishes to make.