September 29, 2006

CONTACT:
Christina Tuff
(202) 225-2211
christina.tuff@mail.house.gov

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the House passed H.R. 5441, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2007.  This legislation provides $34.8 billion in funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), a $2.3 billion increase from fiscal year 2006, and includes $21.3 billion for border protection and interior immigration enforcement.

“The Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Bill provides billions of dollars in funding to help secure our nation’s borders and enhance the enforcement of U.S. interior immigration laws,” Sullivan said.  “Border security is national security.  The funding in this legislation for increased border security is vital for the security of our homeland.”

H.R. 5441 provides a $2.1 billion increase in funds for border protection over the FY 2006 funding.  Highlights in the bill include:

• $2.27 billion for Border Patrol, adding 1,500 new Border Patrol agents, bringing the total to 14,800 agents.  “Increasing the number of Border Patrol agents along our nation’s border, and giving them the technology to enforce U.S. immigration laws, is critical to decreasing the number of aliens, human traffickers and drug smugglers illegally crossing into the U.S.”

• $1.2 billion for additional border fencing, technology and infrastructure.  “The old saying goes, good fences make good neighbors.  An increase in border fencing is vital to strengthening U.S. border security.”

• $4.2 billion in general funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).  “ICE is currently conducting an overview of ICE office placements throughout our nation’s interior and is looking for ways to better serve the immigration enforcement needs of Oklahoma.  This review could lead to a permanent ICE presence in Tulsa, and/or additional agents in the state”

• $1.38 billion for ICE custody operations, including adding 6,700 detention beds, bringing the total to 27,500 bed spaces for illegal aliens detained in the U.S.  “Increasing the number of detention beds available for illegal aliens after they are detained will help end the “Catch and Release” program, by allowing illegal aliens to be caught, detained, processed and deported in a timely fashion.”

• $28.2 million to assist state and local law enforcement officials in their enforcement of U.S. immigration laws. “Giving state and local law enforcement officers the tools necessary to combat illegal immigration is one of the critical steps toward curbing the immigration crisis in our country and will go a long way to secure our nation’s interior.”

The DHS Appropriations Act of 2007 also provides $5.4 million in funding for the 287(g) program.  This important program provides authority and training for state and local law enforcement officers to investigate, detain and arrest illegal aliens on civil and criminal grounds.  “I am currently working with the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to see them partnered in this important program.  It is imperative that our local law enforcement officers have the tools necessary to combat illegal immigration in the U.S.”

“During my years in Congress, I have tirelessly advocated for the strengthening of our borders and the enforcement of our interior immigration laws,” Sullivan said.  “The passage of the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act will provide more funding, more bed space, more Border Patrol agents, more border fencing and more tools for state and local law enforcement to do just that.”

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