Speech #1090122408

provision would provide protections for both the immigrant and American workers. It is estimated that without a guest worker program that allow for agricultural workers. the State of Michigan would lose hundreds of millions of dollars. In short. the AgJOBS provision is vital to the economic health of Michigan. The security provisions in this bill are also important for Michigan and for the Nation. As the 9/11 Commission pointed out in its final report. the northern border has traditionally received dramatically less attention and resources from the Federal Government. I am pleased that the language passed by the Senate Judiciary Committee and included in the Specter substitute amendment authorizes an additional 12.000 Border Patrol agents over the next 5 years. and requires that at least 20 percent of these agents be stationed along our northern border. I was also pleased that Senator COLLINS is joining me in an amendment to help ensure our Border Patrol agents and other Federal officials involved in border securityincluding police officers. National Guard personnel. and emergency response providershave the capability to communicate with each other and with their Canadian and Mexican counterparts. The LevinCollins amendment would direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish demonstration projects on the northern and southern borders to address the interoperable communications needs of those who have border security responsibilities. These projects would identify common