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For Immediate Release
September 21, 2006 |
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Shays Fights for Stronger
Borders
Washington, D.C. –Congressman Christopher Shays (R-CT)
today supported three measures to secure our borders and fight
illegal immigration.
"The first responsibility of a nation is to protect
its borders,” Shays explained. “Accordingly, the
first step of any immigration reform should be to enact strong
border security measures. I believe the rule of law matters
in our country and those who break it need to be held accountable.”
Today, Shays supported H.R. 4830, the Border Tunnel Prevention
Act, which prohibits the construction or financing of an unauthorized
tunnel that crosses the border between the United States and
a neighboring country, imposing a 20-year prison term for
such offense and doubling the fines for a person who uses
such a tunnel to smuggle an alien, illegal goods, controlled
substances, weapons of mass destruction, or members of a terrorist
organization. The bill passed by a vote of 422 to 0.
Shays also supported H.R. 6094, the Community Protection
Act, which ensures the detention of illegal immigrants who
have committed a violent crime or represents a threat to national
security. Under current law, the Department of Homeland Security
may be unable to be deport some illegal immigrants, but Court
rulings prevent the Department from detaining illegal immigrants
for more than six months.
The bill, which passed by a vote of 328 to 95, allows such
illegal immigrants to be detained for six months at a time,
allows for the period of detention to be renewed, and provides
judicial review. The bill also allows DHS to use the same
expedited procedures available for the removal of aggravated
felons to remove other criminal aliens who are not permanent
residents and are otherwise ineligible for relief. The bill
stipulates an illegal immigrant who is found to be part of
a criminal street gang would be subject to detention, deportation,
and would be ineligible for receiving asylum or temporary
protected status.
Finally, Shays supported H.R. 6095, the Immigration Law Enforcement
Act, which passed by a vote of 277 to 140. It reaffirms the
inherent authority of state and local law enforcement to voluntarily
investigate, identify, apprehend, arrest, detain, and transfer
to federal custody illegal immigrants. The bill also authorizes
an increase in the number of attorneys to prosecute alien
smuggling cases, and expresses Congress’ sense that
the attorney general should establish uniform guidelines for
the prosecution of alien smugglers.
Last week, Shays voted for and the House of Representatives
passed H.R. 6061, the Secure Fence Act, by a vote of 283 to
138.
The emergency measure would mandate operational control of
all borders and ports through enhanced Border Patrol operations,
physical barriers, and state-of-the-art technology along the
southwest border, including reinforced fencing. This includes
providing over 700 miles of two-layered reinforced fencing
along the southwest border placed at critical, highly populated
areas; requiring an evaluation of infrastructure needs along
the northern border; mandating that DHS achieve and maintain
operational control over the entire border through a “virtual
fence” that deploys cameras, ground sensors, Unmanned
Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), and integrated surveillance technology;
requiring DHS to provide all necessary authority to border
personnel to disable fleeing vehicles; and requiring DHS to
assess vulnerabilities on the northern border.
Contact: Sarah Moore, 202/225-5541
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