Speech #1090179883

I wish to voice my strong support for efforts to secure our Nations borders. which remain porous. We must immediately address this threat to our national security and make certain that we allow local officials greater involvement as they work with the Secretary of Homeland Security regarding the location of border fencing. I have consistently supported and voted in favor of border security effortssuch as the installation of reinforced fencing in strategic areas where high trafficking of narcotics. unlawful border crossings. and other criminal activity exists. I have also supported installing physical barriers. roads. lighting. cameras. and sensors where necessary. Throughout our debate on comprehensive immigration reform. I have stressed the need to secure our Nations borders--not only our southwest border with Mexico. but also our northern border with Canada. our maritime borders. coastlines and ports of entry. We must secure our borders first. but we must also work toward a comprehensive solution that addresses the needs of commerce and our economy. The Secure Fence Act of 2006 is needed. and serves as our downpayment with the American people on what we must do to address border securityso that we can then move forward to address comprehensive immigration reform. To this date. we have hired. trained. deployed 11.300 Border Patrol agents. ended catch and release. accelerated the deportation process. and expanded the number of beds in detention centers to almost 23.000. We have also provided an additional $1.9 billion in immediate funding for border security to cover the first 1.000 of 6.000 new Border Patrol agents who will be deployed in the next 2 years. These funds will assist with the temporary deployment of up to 6.000 National Guard troops aiding the Border Patrol with surveillance and logistics. I will continue to champion border security measures and strongly support the efforts of my colleagues to strengthen our southwest borderprotecting our citizens from threats of terrorism. narcotic trafficking. and other unlawful entries. However. I am concerned about Congress making decisions about the location of the border fencing without the participation of State and local law enforcement officials working with the Secretary of Homeland Security. These locations should not be dictated by Congress. Our border States have borne a heavy financial burden from Illegal immigration and their local officials are on the front lines. Their knowledge and experience should not be ignored. Texas shares approximately onehalf of the land border between the United States of America and the Republic of Mexico.