May 19, 2011

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) -- As part of a congressional trip organized by the office of U.S. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords (AZ-08), U.S. Congressman Jason Altmire (PA-04) will travel to Arizona this weekend to survey border security operations. Congressman Altmire will visit a border patrol station to get an update on border security infrastructure and efforts to combat smuggling. He will also take a tour with Arizona ranchers to listen to their concerns about border security in rural and isolated areas. 
 
“Congresswoman Giffords has always been a key leader on immigration enforcement and border security issues,” Congressman Altmire said. “At the request of her office, I am travelling to Arizona to meet with her constituents, federal immigration officials, and border patrol agents about how we can enhance our border security. We have made significant progress in securing our borders in recent years, and I am eager to learn what more we can do to combat crime and stop illegal immigration.”

This is the second trip Congressman Altmire has taken to the border to survey border security operations. After learning that the government was using Chinese steel to build the U.S.-Mexico border fence, Congressman Altmire traveled to the border in 2007 and successfully ensured that the fence would be built with American steel instead. As part of his efforts to secure our borders, Congressman Altmire has helped to put 9,000 additional border patrol agents on the job, an increase of more than 70 percent since 2006. Congressman Altmire has also repeatedly voted to improve surveillance technology along the U.S.-Mexico Border and consistently supported the construction of the U.S.-Mexico border fence. For more information on Congressman Altmire’s record on border security, click here.