Speech #990275207

But in Los Angeles County we are measuring these figures in more immediate and meaningful terms. Los Angeles is home to more than 1V2 million of these illegal citizens and the legalized children which they have produced. Our local tax bill for providing these individuals social services comes to $200 million annually with the county department of health services alone spending $115 million annually on health care for the more than 600 illegal aliens who occupy beds in our county hospitals. A total of 48.000 children whose mothers are illegal aliens receive $8 million a month from county taxpayers. None of these moneys are reimbursed by the State or Federal Government but are in addition to the Federal funds provided. Though I generally support H.R. 3810s efforts to address the problem of our open borders. there remains an urgent need within the bill to supplement the ability of the Border Patrol to intercept illegals by increasing the number of agents employed on our southern boundary. Our recent enhancement package of the enforcement apparatus has been successfully implemented according to INS. However. the need and demand for a still greater interdiction effort is clear. The apprehension rate and flow of illegals over the United StatesMexico border has far exceeded the expectations of the enhancement package. While apprehensions have doubled over the last 5 years. the number of Border Patrol agents have increased by less than onethird during the same period. This year alone. apprehensions are expected to exceed 1.7 million illegals captured. The restrictions which would otherwise be imposed by H.R. 3810 are graduated measures which will take time to implement. The amendment I am offering would provide for immediate increases for the Border Patrol. Additionally my amendment would help to address the growing problem of drug smuggling and threat of terrorism along this border. During 1985. the Border Patrol made 885 narcotic seizures which were valued in excess of $119 million. It is estimated these seizures will exceed 1.200 this year. It is unlikely employer sanctions will do much to curb the drug traffic or terrorists. Therefore. Mr. Chairman. in order to provide immediate relief from the onslaught of illegal immigration. I urge my colleagues to approve this amendment and beef up our Border Patrol.