Speech #1090093782

My bill requires the General Service Administration (GSA) to identify port of entry infrastructure and technology improvement projects that would enhance homeland security. The GSA would work with the Department of Homeland Security to prioritize and implement these projects based on needs along the border. The Secretary of Homeland Security would also have to prepare a Land Border Security Plan to assess the vulnerabilities at each port of entry located on the northern border or the southern border. This plan will require the cooperation of Federal. State and local entities involved at our borders to ensure that everyone who plays a role in border security is consulted about the plan. The Border Modernization and Security Act would also modernize homeland security along the United States borders by implementing technology demonstration programs to test and evaluate new port of entry and border security technologies. Because equipment and technology alone will not solve the security problems on our border. these test sites will also house facilities to provide the necessary training to personnel who must implement and use these technologies under realistic conditions. We must also improve the enforcement of existing immigration laws. Our bill authorizes funds for the Department of Homeland Security to expand its Expedited Removal Procedures so DHS can expeditiously return nonMexican illegal aliens who have spent less than 14 days in the US and who are apprehended within 100 miles of the international border to the aliens country of origin. We also allow DHS to create an automated biometric entry and exit data system at our land ports of entry so we can more accurately keep track of who is entering and leaving the US. In order for the Department to more easily identify and remove unauthorized aliens who commit crimes under State law and are held in State and local prisons. we authorize the expansion of DHS Institutional Removal Program.