Speech #760125060

Yes. there is on an average 9.000 to 11.000 a year. In order to further illustrate the point and give the House a clearer picture of how important the border question is. officers of the Immigration and Naturalization Service border patrol questioned 1.012.242 persons. patrolled 7.824.733 miles of territory. and examined 739.104 conveyances during the fiscal year ending June 30. last. in their successful efforts to prevent the illegal entry of aliens into the United States. according to a report made public today by Secretary of Labor Perkins. As evidence of the efficiency of the border patrol. 12.685 persons were apprehended last year. of whom 11.077 were illegal entrants. and 137 were smugglers of aliens. The report to Secretary Perkins says: While 7.462.847 miles were patrolled by automobiles. 16.212 miles were covered on horseback and 124 miles by airplanes. Motorboats were used to travel 38.548 miles. Property seized amounted to $39.062. The questioning of more than a million persons Indicates the thoroughness with which the border patrol is performing this function in its efforts to prevent the illegal entry of aliens. The use of radio has aided materially in raising the efficiency of the border patrol to its present high standard. A school for patrolmen is conducted at El Paso. Tex.. where new appointees take a special course. In its 15 years of operation the border patrol has apprehended 289.265 persons. seized goods valued at $5.852.084. including 5.860 vehicles of various types. of which 40 were airplanes. and has patrolled 95.426.526 miles along the Mexican and Canadian borders. The Department of Labors border patrol is composed of efficient and outstanding Americans. but they are too small a body. They do not have the proper means of enforcement. and they do not have the necessary man power. As you go along you will find that although they have been patrolling the borders by plane. it is most difficult to check on this international smuggling ring. that manages to bring in undesirable aliens. While our front door is shut tight. our back door is wide open. Some important facts have been brought to the attention of the committee by some of the socalled squealers. witnesses who are prepared to give the committee some Information provided they can secure some immunity and protection from the Department.