Speech #930107174

Mr. Speaker. today I have introduced at the request of the Department of Treasury. a bill to increase the amount authorized to be expended to provide facilities along the border for enforcement of the customs and immigration laws. The bill would increase from $100.000 to $200.000 the existing limitation on the amount of funds which may be expended for the construction of inspectional facilities for the enforcement of the customs and immigration laws along the Mexican and Canadian borders. The following is an analysis of the legislation: ANALYSIS Under existing law (19 U.S.C. 68) the Secretary of the Treasury and the Attorney General are authorized to expend from the General appropriations of the Bureau of Customs and the Immigration and Naturalization Service such amounts as may be necessary to acquire land and erect buildings. sheds. office quarters. and living facilities which are otherwise unavailable. at points along the Canadian and Mexican borders and in the Virgin Islands. as an aid to the enforcement of the customs and immigration laws. provided that the amount expended on any one project. including the site. does not exceed $100.000. The Attorney General is authorized to expend not more than $100.000 for similar purposes in Guam. If a project is intended for the joint use of the Bureau of Customs and the Immigration and Naturalization Service. its combined cost including the site is charged to the two appropriations concerned. The proposed bill would increase the maximum costs that may be incurred under existing law to $200.000. The proposed new ceiling of $200.000 is needed to meet the increased costs of site acquisition and construction since 1962 when Congress last amended the Act entitled "An Act to provide better facilities for the enforcement of the customs and immigration laws". approved June 26. 1930. as amended (19 U.S.C. 68). and to provide for future projected increases in these costs. Border Inspection facilities are usually erected in remote areas immediately adjacent to the Mexican and Canadian international boundaries. Costs are influenced by the unusually great distances that both men and materials must be transported to the job site.