Putnam, House Leaders Unveil
Border Security Package
For immediate release: Thursday, September 14, 2006 Contact: John Hambel
Office: (202) 225-1252
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Adam H. Putnam (R-FL 12) today joined Speaker J. Dennis Hastert and the other members of the House Republican Leadership in unveiling a tough border security package that will come to the House Floor in the next two weeks.
“During the month of August, 9 House committees held hearings throughout the nation to examine and better understand the issues facing our borders and our most immediate needs. Our committees held 21 hearings in 13 states, covering the spectrum of issues,” stated Putnam, who serves as Chairman of the House Republican Policy Committee. “This past week, the Policy Committee held a forum with the Committee Chairmen to hear what they learned during the course of their investigation. The House Republican Emergency Border Security Agenda we are introducing today incorporates many of the recommendations made to the Policy Committee.”
At a press conference this afternoon, the House leaders introduced a series of measures that will provide more Border Patrol agents, strengthen border security through fencing and additional infrastructure, provide stricter enforcement at the border and enhance state and local law enforcement authority.
The specific proposals include:
• Secure Fence Act – authorizes the construction of 700 miles of reinforced fencing along the southwest border and mandates that the Department of Homeland Security achieve operational control over the entire border through a “virtual fence” that is comprised of cameras, ground sensors and unmanned aerial vehicles.
• Fairness in Immigration Litigation Act – ends outdated injunctions that prevent the effective enforcement of immigration laws and has led to “catch and release” policies. Gangs, such as MS-13, have exploited these loopholes, and many criminal aliens have been released on our streets.
• Alien Gang Removal Act – prohibits alien gang members from entering the U.S. and allows for the detention and deportation of alien gang members already in the country.
• Criminal Alien Removal Act – allows for the expedited removal of alien criminals who are not permanent residents. Currently there are lengthy removal proceedings despite the fact that these criminals are ineligible for relief.
• Alien Smuggler Prosecution Act – authorizes an increase in the number of federal prosecutors for alien smuggling cases and encourages the Attorney General to establish uniform guidelines for the prosecution of smuggling offenses.
• Border Tunnel Prevention Act – Creates criminal penalties of up to 20 years imprisonment for knowingly constructing or financing the construction of unauthorized tunnels at the border to stop the possible smuggling of aliens, contraband, drugs, weapons or terrorists.
• Dangerous Alien Detention Act – allows for the continued detention of dangerous aliens under orders of removal for more than 6 months if they cannot be removed in that timeframe. Currently, the Department of Homeland Security is required to release many criminal aliens back into our country when they cannot be processed within 6 months.
• State and Local Law Enforcement Cooperation in the Enforcement of Immigration Law Act – reaffirms the authority of state and local law enforcement to voluntarily investigate, identify, detain and transfer to federal custody aliens in the United States to assist in the enforcement of immigration laws.
• Homeland Security Appropriations Act – provides $2.33 billion in funding for the U.S. Border Patrol, including funds for 1,200 new border patrol agents; $2.65 billion for Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, including funding for 1,212 agents; $3.98 billion for the Secure Border Initiative, the President’s plan to gain operational control of the border in 5 years; and $161 million for border security technology, including aerial surveillance and unmanned aerial vehicles.
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