FOXX HAILS PASSAGE OF BORDER SECURITY BILL

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Michael Frohlich
202-225-2071

WASHINGTON –Today, Congresswoman Virginia Foxx (NC-05) cosponsored and voted in strong support of H.R. 6061, The Secure Fence Act of 2006, which passed in the House of Representatives 283 to 138. Border fences have a proven success rate in drastically reducing the number of illegal alien apprehensions. For example, the fence along the San Diego/Mexico border mandated by Congress in 1996, helped decrease from 200,000 illegal apprehensions in 1992 to 9,000 in 2005. Congresswoman Foxx, a relentless advocate for border security has a strong record in securing our borders and fighting against illegal immigration, as she cosponsored and pushed for House passage of H.R. 418, the Real ID Act and H.R. 4437, The Border Protection, Antiterrorism and Illegal Immigration Control Act. Upon passage of The Secure Fence Act today, Congresswoman Foxx issued the following statement:

“I have long been committed to stopping the flow of illegal immigration and securing our porous borders. Today the House of Representatives passed a bill that will help secure the border and stem the unrelenting flow of illegal aliens into this country. My constituents have made it clear to me they want our borders secure, our laws enforced and the flow of illegal immigration stopped immediately. The recent 22 immigration field hearings held across the country during the month of August yielded the same mandate from the American people, secure the borders now. The amnesty provisions contained in the Senate-passed immigration reform measure earlier this year would encourage future illegal immigration and reward those who have violated America’s laws with a quick and easy path to citizenship. There is more to be done in dealing with illegal immigration, but securing the borders must be the first step. America cannot afford to wait any longer and I will continue to push to secure our borders now,” stated Congresswoman Foxx.

The Secure Fence Act authorizes 700 miles of two-layered reinforced fencing, mandating the Department of Homeland Security to achieve and maintain operation control over the entire border through various methods such as ground sensors, cameras and surveillance technology. It also requires the Department of Homeland Security to provide necessary authority to border patrol agents to disable fleeing vehicles, similar to the authority granted to the U.S Coast Guard.

Congresswoman Foxx explained that, “the provisions in this bill will address our country’s vulnerability and strengthen our operational controls along our borders. These provisions not only detail a physical barrier but also call for more systematic surveillance through more personnel and state-of-the-art technology. When enacted, this bill will dramatically reduce illegal immigration and make us safer.”

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