Brown Praises Bush's Signing of the 'Secure Fence Act'
House Republicans Committed to Moving Forward on Border Security
Washington,
Oct 26 -
Congressman Henry Brown (SC-1) today issued the following statement upon President Bush’s signing of H.R. 6061, the "Secure Fence Act."
“I applaud the President’s signing of the ‘Secure Fence Act.’ This bill is a key part of Republicans’ efforts to strengthen border security and stem the flow of illegal immigration into the United States. Securing our border must be our first priority. Before we can address any other immigration issues, we must make sure that our border is secure. We are a nation at war, and in this age of terrorism, border security is national security."
The "Secure Fence Act" will strengthen operational control of all borders and ports through additional fencing and surveillance. Specifically the bill:
Ø Authorizes more than 700 miles of two-layered reinforced fencing along the southwest border;
Ø Mandates that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) maintain operational control over the entire border through a "virtual fence" that deploys cameras, ground sensors, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), and integrated surveillance technology;
Ø Requires DHS to provide necessary authority to border personnel to disable fleeing vehicles; and
Ø Requires DHS to assess vulnerabilities on the northern border.
According to Congressman Brown, “The ‘Secure Fence Act’ is just one part of the Republican-led Congress’s efforts to secure our border. House Republicans have worked hard to tighten our immigration and border security system to ensure that terrorist and other criminals cannot enter our country. Since 1995, we have quadrupled funding for border security, from $1.2 billion to $12.7 billion, more then doubled Border Patrol Agents, and passed critical border security bills.”
The Republican-led Congress has made great strides in addressing the nation’s border security and immigration enforcement including
Ø Upgraded technology at our borders and added infrastructure, including new fencing and vehicle barriers;
Ø Apprehended and sent home more than 6 million people entering America illegally; and
Added thousands of new beds in our detention facilities, and passed legislation in the house to end the policy of "catch and release" at our Southern border.
