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United States Congressman Hal Rogers
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Congressman Hal Rogers
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Border Security

One of the most divisive issues for the public, and one of the most pressing national security issues for our country is Border Security.  Whether it is dealing with the nearly 12 million illegal immigrants that experts believe are residing in the U.S., or preventing terrorists from crossing our borders with nefarious purposes – border security is vital to the protection of our nation.

When the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was created in 2003, I was proud to serve as the first chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, and currently as the ranking member of that subcommittee.  During my tenure in this role, I have worked hard to give the DHS what it needs to accomplish its mission of protecting our nation, while also pushing for the changes that are needed to adapt to the security issues that we face both now and in the future.  This has included beefing up security at our airports by adding more security screeners, cargo container screening at our ports, and programs to halt the flow of illegal immigrants across our borders.

A critical component to the work I have done in Congress has been to control illegal immigration and to stop the flow of undocumented aliens crossing our borders.  I have long believed that respect for our immigration laws is critical to maintaining our economic and domestic security.  Further, illegal immigration undermines the rule of law, depresses wages and opportunities for our working families, and is linked to crime and drug trafficking.  That is why I have consistently supported legislation that seeks to end illegal immigration by establishing physical barriers, incorporating state-of the art surveillance technology, increasing our border patrol efforts and increasing penalties for alien smuggling.  

The Secure Border Initiative is a program initiated with congressional support in which DHS and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have launched a multipronged strategy to gain operational control of our borders, particularly the southwest border.  CBP is nearly on track to have secured almost 700 miles of the southwest border by the end of the year through a combination of physical and vehicle barriers.  Our Border Patrol force has almost doubled with over 15,000 agents with another 3,300 to be added by the end of 2008.  DHS has also ended the practice of “catch and release” – which allowed illegal aliens to enter our country while awaiting trial.  Now, 100% of apprehended illegal immigrants are detained or returned to their home country.  

I have also been proud to support the E-Verify program – which is an electronic employment verification system that allows employers to check the legal status of their employees.  I am proud to have provided the initial funding for this program.  Under my leadership, nearly $135 million in funding has been set aside to establish and initiate the E-Verify program.  On June 9, 2008, President Bush signed an Executive Order requiring that all employers with federal contracts must verify their employees’ immigration status with the E-Verify program.  Such a requirement is a great step forward in securing our nation’s immigration system, and I hope that the use of the E-Verify system expands.

Finally, I have also stated publicly that I oppose amnesty for illegal immigrants.  Amnesty only undermines the rule of law, rewards those who break the law, and harms those immigrants who are working and living in the United States legally.  I do not support legislation that effectively discriminates against legal immigrants properly working and living in our communities, or tramples on basic, fundamental principles including the rule of law and the sovereignty of a nation to maintain and protect its borders.  

I am proud of the work that has been done to secure our borders – but there is more work to be done.  Failure is not an option when it comes to our nation’s security.  I will remain fervent in my commitment to ensure adequate resources are provided to achieve the non-negotiable goal of gaining operational control of our borders. 




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Washington, DC Office
2406 Rayburn H O B
Washington, DC 20515
202-225-4601 -- phone
202-225-0940 -- fax

Somerset Office
551 Clifty Street
Somerset, KY 42501
800-632-8588 -- phone
606-679-8346 -- phone
606-678-4856 -- fax

Hazard Office
601 Main Street
Hazard, KY 41701
606-439-0794 -- phone
606-439-4647 -- fax

Prestonsburg Office
110 Resource Court, Suite A
Prestonsburg, KY 41653
606-886-0844 -- phone
606-889-0371 -- fax

 

Staff Information

 

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