Speech #1050115031

Mr. Speaker. the U.S./Mexico border in San Diego County. California is the nations busiest corridor for illegal immigration activity. However. yesterday. Immigration and Naturalization Service Commissioner Doris Meissner declared that this entry is under control. While the INS decided to deploy 1.000 new border patrol agents. not one of them is headed to San Diego. The 48th District of California lies just north of this hightraffic passage. and. Mr. Speaker. neither my constituents nor I would tell you that illegal immigration in this area is under control. Mrs. Meissner cites a 40% drop in border apprehensions in San Diego as proof that no additional agents are needed at this border. It is important to note that this figure does not take into account remote areas that are currently experiencing added strain as a result of the greater presence of agents and the San Diego entry point. While increasing the number of border patrol agents at the San Diego County borders might decrease movement at these sites. it only intensifies the influx at the neighboring border in Imperial County. The Border Patrol Chief at the Imperial County gateway noted that daily apprehensions have risen dramatically since 1996. from 150 to the current rate of over 900. Neglecting this corridor. while adding agents in Texas and New Mexico and maintaining the number of agents in San Diego. will only intensify this already acute problem. Southern California suffers from the increasing flood of illegal aliens. Mrs. Meissners denial to provide us with an adequate number of border patrol agents to handle this dilemma is detrimental to our state and to our nation. Mr. Speaker. as we continue the battle against individuals who opt to enter the United States illegally. I commend our border patrol agents for their hard work and dedication. No matter how hard they work. though. we need more of these committed men and women at our hightraffic borders if we are to have any hope of curtailing illegal immigration. I support efforts to strengthen our border in states like Texas. however. we must not pursue that goal at Californias expense. The INS should take a closer look at the continuing penetration of our borders in Southern California and reconsider its strategy.