Speech #1090173397

Tunneling will only begin to subside after tough and clear penalties are enacted for anyone involved in this pernicious violation of our border and our sovereignty. Surprisingly. the laws on the books are ineffectual and. in many ways. nonexistent. This is a serious problem that deserves serious punishment for anyone who so flagrantly compromises our border security. The Border Tunnel Prevention Act criminalizes the construction of border tunnels that span our international borders. Specifically. the bill creates a new Federal law to criminalize the construction of illegal border tunnels crossing into the U.S.. punishable by a maximum 20 years in prison. It also imposes a maximum 10year prison sentence on those who recklessly allow others to build such tunnels on their land. In addition. the bill doubles the sentence for using a tunnel to smuggle aliens. weapons. drugs. terrorists. or illegal goods. For example. under current law. knowingly smuggling an illegal alien into the U.S. is punishable by a maximum 10year prison sentence. Under this bill. that penalty would double to a maximum 20year prison term if the illegal alien was smuggled in through an illegal border tunnel. Finally. the bill enables the Federal Government to seize any of the assets or property involved in the construction of the illegal border tunnel. The Border Tunnel Prevention Act is just the latest example of House Republicans taking a strong stand when it comes to border security. House Republicans have provided the funding to hire 1.500 new Border Patrol agents this year and 1.200 next year. Last December. we passed H.R. 4437. the Border Security Protection. Antiterrorism. and Illegal Immigration Control Act to enhance border security and reform our outdated immigration laws. Last week. we approved H.R. 6061. the Secure Fence Act. to construct fences at five specific border zones where deaths are common. drug smuggling is rampant and illegal border crossings are numerous. And today. we will consider legislation to swiftly detain and deport dangerous illegal immigrants and enhance prosecution of alien smugglers. cooperation between local law enforcement and Federal immigration officials. and removal of illegal immigrants. Cracking down on those who use and construct tunnels. as well as those who allow them to be constructed on their property. is another commonsense step to our fullcourt press to securing our border. When combined with a strengthened Border Patrol. enhanced use of sensory technology. and strategic fencing in heavily trafficked areas. we will have an acrosstheboard approach to smarter border security. Over land. in the air. and underground. we must make a commitment to control and secure the border. I urge all my colleagues to support this important border security bill.