Today we are pleased to welcome Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff to discuss the Department’s border security and immigration enforcement efforts.

 

            Mr. Secretary, this is the third hearing this Subcommittee has held on the issue of border security since the announcement of the Secure Border Initiative in November of 2005.  And over these last nine months, a great many things have changed.  Central among those changes is the major influx of appropriations for the Department’s border security and immigration enforcement programs—including $1.2 billion provided in the recently enacted supplemental and another $19.6 billion proposed in the House-passed fiscal year 2007 appropriations bill.  In addition, we now have almost 3,600 National Guard troops assisting CBP along the Southwest Border and are expecting another 2,400 in the coming weeks.

 

            But what also has arisen during these last nine months are questions—questions about how the Department of Homeland Security can turn the tide on the persistent problem of illegal immigration, and actually apply these new resources in a way that—once and for all—gives us control of our borders.

 

            Today’s hearing is a chance for you, Mr. Secretary, to present a status report of where the Department of Homeland Security is with respect to securing our borders and improving our immigration system.  It is an opportunity to discuss how the Department is going to effectively use the National Guard and the massive infusion of funds to gain the control of our borders that has become an unquestioned necessity in a post-9/11 world. 

 

            No longer can the illegal immigration debate be simplified into a question of resources—this Subcommittee is clearly providing you the money.  What we want is results.  Today we are not going to get into a lengthy debate on immigration policy nor discuss the failed attempts at border security of the past.  Today, we are going to discuss how DHS is enforcing the law as it is currently written—and that means preventing illegal immigration and providing for the control of our borders.

 

            I want to re-iterate a point that Mr. Sabo and I made to you shortly after the supplemental was enacted—with these resources comes accountability.  We are requiring bi-monthly status reports on the Department’s performance and the expenditure of funds on border security.  We are absolutely committed to holding the Department accountable so that this opportunity to significantly improve our nation’s security is not squandered.