Speech #1090139817

But that number is probably high. in my opinion. This is hurting the morale of our U.S. Border Patrol agents and is a misguided process. Because of catchandrelease. the number of immigrants who have come across our borders has significantly increased. According to the April 2006 DHS Inspector General report. here is what underfunding border security means to this country: 774.112 illegal immigrants were apprehended during the past 3 years. Of those. 280.987. or approximately 36 percent. were released largely due to lack of personnel. bed space. and funding. The report also says that the number of illegal immigrants apprehended in the U.S. is increasing. while personnel and bed space levels are declining. In the 2 years just after 9/11. illegal immigrants captured in the U.S. rose some 19 percent. from 231.000 to about 275.000. This remains a prominent national security risk. And I am including for the RECORD a news story about how the deportations work. These OTMs include aliens from countries whose governments support statesponsored terrorism as well as those from countries of special interest who promote. produce or protect terrorist organizations and their members. They also include aliens who should be identified. detained. and removed under the DHSs Criminal Alien Removal Program. but who are not included in that program because there is no funding.