Speech #1090093783

I also worked to replace the orange cones with hardened gates. But we clearly have to do much more. The legislation we are introducing today. which Senator DOMENICI has described in detail. would devote significant new resources to our border security. Among other things. this legislation would authorize the hiring of an additional 1.000 Customs and Border Protection inspectors and Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers a year for the next five years. It would authorize the Department of Homeland Security to work with States to use National Guard and a volunteer force of retired law enforcement officers as resources to help monitor the borders. And it would have the Federal Government reimburse State governments for the cost of detaining undocumented aliens while decisions are made regarding possible deportation. This bipartisan proposal is not about immigration. Its about border security. We need to do a better job of securing our borders. and we need to do so on an urgent basis. We hope our colleagues will join us. on a bipartisan basis. in supporting this legislation.