Speech #1090173746

There is an interesting parallel with the fence which was built in the San Diego area. There was concern about the environment there as well. But not only has the construction of that triple fence in the area of San Diego virtually stopped illegal immigration in that area. it has significantly reduced crime on both sides of the border because the criminals who used to congregate in the area are no longer congregating in the area because they cant get across. The result is the San Diego fence has significantly improved the environment in the area. with grasslands coming back and the return of protected species that hadnt been reported in the area for years. I believe all of this is an important element in that debate. demonstrating that the additional fencing and other border technology can help to prevent environmental damage. But what of the primary purpose of the fencing to prevent illegal entry? This is important for a variety of reasons. Due to the close proximity of the border to a number of major highways in the State of Arizona. illegal immigrant and drug trafficking is often intense. When smugglers can manage to reach the roads. they often resort to excessive speed. driving without lights. and driving down the wrong side of the road to escape law enforcement. There have been a lot of injuries and deaths and attacks on Border Patrol that have resulted. We had an actual shootout on the freeway between Tucson and Phoenix between two rival gangs who were contesting to see who could own 52. Pt. 14 18935 the illegal immigrants in the van at issue. Frequently. these vans are wrecked. overturned. and a lot of illegal immigrants are killed or injured. In the one unfortunate case. in the town of Sierra Vista near the border. an elderly couple in the community had just gotten marriedI believe it was the week beforeand they were simply driving through an intersection. minding their own business. when. with excessive speed in order to avoid apprehension. a load of illegal immigrants came crashing through. hit their vehicle. and killed them both. You can imagine the sorrow as well as the anger in this small community when these wonderful people. who were known to many of the residents of the community. when their lives were extinguished right after they were married and looking forward to some very happy years because of this illegal activity. This has real impacts on peoples lives in the United States. and that is another reason to end it. We had testimony in the subcommittee which I chairof the Judiciary CommitteeTerrorism. Technology and Homeland Security. about the number of illegal immigrants who cross who are criminals or who are wanted for crimes. It isnt just a matter of keeping people from entering the United States to work. The testimony was. by the head of the Border Patrol. that now over 10 percent of the illegal immigrants apprehended coming into this country are criminals. I am not talking about immigration violations. I am talking about serious crimes such as homicide. rape. assault. kidnapping. serious drug crimes. It is not only overloading our law enforcement and court systems. but it is also creating a huge problem at the border.