Speech #1090052664

We have made it as cost affordable as we can by electing to use resources already available to usfacilities closed down under the Defense Base Closure Realignment Act of 1990 and law enforcement officers across America already out on our streets doing their jobs. Law enforcement is not an area where it pays to pinch pennies. In immigration enforcement. it costs us too much not to enforce the law. It is time that Congress take responsibility for providing DHS with the resources they need to do the job we have given them. When it comes to immigration enforcement in America. the rule of law is not prevailing. If we are serious about securing the homeland. we simply must get serious about immigration enforcement. It is time to talk about the big picturetime to be honest about what it will really take to fix our broken immigration system. In most cases. we dont need tougher immigration laws. we just need to utilize our existing resources and use some new resources to enforce the laws we already have. If State and local police are confused about their authority to enforce immigration laws. that authority needs to be clarified. This bill will do that. If State and local police cannot access immigration background information on individuals quickly enough. we should change that. This bill makes that information more accessible through expanding use of the NCIC. If DHS is not taking custody of illegal aliens being apprehended by State and local police. we need to make It possible for them to do so. This bill will address the practice of "catching and releasing" illegal aliens. If we do not have enough detention space to hold people that break the law. then we need more detention space. This bill gives DHS 50 percent more bedspace for immigration enforcement. If illegal aliens are being released back into the community after their prison sentences instead of being deported. we need to fix the system that releases them. This bill will extend the Institutional Removal Program to ensure that custody is transferred from the State prison to Federal officials at the end of the aliens prison sentence. Once again I would like to thank Senator CRAIG and Senator INHOPE for joining with me to introduce this legislation. and I would like to thank Congressman NORWOOD for Introducing companion legislation in the House. It is imperative that we take critical steps toward regaining control of our borders and that we lay the enforcement foundation for necessary immigration reforms. This bill is a critical step in the right direction. I encourage my colleagues to study this bill and join us in working to pass the Homeland Security Enhancement Act of I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the RECORD.