Speech #1050094601

This bill will also guarantee that the over $1 billion in daily crossborder trade is not hindered In any way. The Border Improvement Act takes a more thoughtful approach to modifying U.S. Immigration policies than last years bill. the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act [IIRIRA]. By requiring the Attorney General to thoroughly assess the potential cost and impact before implementing any sort of automated entryexit monitoring system on the Nations land borders. this bill ensures that any such system will be well planned and implemented. Finally. the Border Improvement Act will ensure adequate staffing on the northern border by requiring a substantial increase in the number of INS and Customs agents assigned to this region over the next 3 years. I am particularly pleased to see that this bill has clear bipartisan support. Last year. I worked closely with Senator ABRAHAM to quash another illconceived proposed addition to the immigration billthe implementation of bordercrossing fees. We successfully defeated the fee proposal last year. but only after much debate and negotiation. Unfortunately. we did not have the same opportunity to debate fully the provision in section 110 of the IIRIRA which mandates that the INS develop an automated entry and exit control system to track the arrival and departure of all aliens at all borders by next October.