Speech #1090173496

Mr. Speaker. I rise today in support of H.R. 6095. the "Immigration Law Enforcement Act of 2006." This legislation takes an important step toward greater prosecution of human smugglers. known as "coyotes." and I thank Judiciary Committee Chairman JiM SENSENBRENNER for bringing this legislation before us. This legislation also authorizes State and local cooperation with Federal immigration enforcement efforts. as well as helping to end the catchandrelease of criminal aliens. I have spoken about the need for increased prosecution of coyotes many times. I have corresponded numerous times with the Attorney General on the subject imploring increased prosecution. Last year I introduced the Criminal Alien Accountability Act that would stiffen the penalties for coyotes and other criminal aliens. My legislation was incorporated in large part into H.R. 4437. the "Border Protection. Antiterrorism. and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005." which passed the House last December. However. major roadblocks impeding the prosecution of coyotes remain. and they are the lack of acceptance of these cases by U.S. Attorneys and a lack of uniform prosecution guidelines among the U.S.