Speech #1090136076

In addition. this bill includes provisions which replace and extend existing fencing along the U.S.-Mexican border. While I realize that building additional fences may be an attractive option. ultimately I believe this approach would be expensive and ineffective. History has proven that fences simply drive the illegal immigration flow to cross by land through more inhospitable terrain. increasing the number of deaths. or to enter by boat through our largely unprotected ports and shores. For example. once a triple fence was built in the San Diego area. apprehensions dropped dramatically. but they increased 342 percent during the same period in Tuscon. away from the fence. In addition. during that period. it is estimated that 1.954 people died attempting to cross the Sonoran Desert to reach Tucson. I also believe that wall is a symbol of distrust which can only weaken our relations. particularly with Mexico. It is a country we need to cooperate with to reduce the flow of illegal aliens. For these reasons. last week I voted against the Sessions amendment to add 370 more miles of triplelayer fencing and 500 miles of vehicle barriers along our southern border. I believe the funding could be spent in more effective ways using new technologies. This bill also improves enforcement of employers who might unlawfully hire illegal aliens. First. it reduces the number of documents that can be used to prove legal status. It also increases verification and recordkeeping requirements.