“Securing our borders and enforcing the immigration laws currently on the books should be our highest priorities as we look to address illegal immigration in this country,” Barton said. “The three bills we passed today help meet these priorities by making common-sense reforms to the process of detaining and deporting those who have broken our laws, while also holding those who aid these individuals accountable.”

Following is information on each of the three bills:

H.R. 6094, the Community Protection Act of 2006

This bill contains three major provisions to ensure that communities are protected from illegal immigrants who threaten the safety of area residents. First, the bill calls for the detainment of dangerous illegal immigrants who cannot be deported. Under current law, the Department of Homeland Security cannot detain illegal immigrants for more than six months, even if the individual has committed a violent crime or is a threat to national security. Under this legislation, the period of detention could be renewed after six months, ensuring that dangerous illegal immigrants who cannot be deported are not released back into society. Second, the bill calls for the expedited removal of illegal immigrants who have committed a crime. Currently, these criminals are placed in lengthy removal proceedings. Finally, the bill toughens laws against alien gang members.

H.R. 6095, the Immigration Law Enforcement Act of 2005

H.R. 6095 helps to strengthen immigration laws that are already on the books. First, it reaffirms the authority of state and local law enforcement to voluntarily investigate, identify, apprehend, arrest, detain, and transfer illegal immigrants into federal custody. Second, it increases the prosecution of individuals who smuggle aliens. Due to an overwhelming workload, many United States attorney offices are unable to prosecute a sufficient number of smuggling cases. The legislation passed by the House today authorizes an increase in the number of attorneys and expresses the sense of Congress that the attorney general should establish uniform guidelines for the prosecution of alien smugglers. Finally, the bill helps close loopholes that have hurt the ability of the Department of Homeland Security to enforce immigration laws. This bill imposes a policy of “catch and return” rather than “catch and release.”

H.R. 4830, the Border Tunnel Prevention Act of 2006

H.R. 4830 makes it a crime to knowingly construct or finance the construction of an unauthorized tunnel across a U.S. international border. Individuals who are caught using such a tunnel to smuggle aliens, contraband, drugs, weapons, or terrorists are subject to twice the penalty that would have otherwise been imposed.

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