Speech #1100143286

If they would have had the inputnot access but the Inputby the Federal Government into the NCIC. which is the national identification tracking mechanism for vehicles and drivers of vehicles that is used nationwide. then those local law enforcement officials would have known and understood those individuals were here Illegally. And if they would have had the tools otherwise given in this piece of legislation. they could have dealt with and detained those individuals. So what we seek to do with this commonsense piece of legislation is to. first of all. clarify the authority that local governments have in the normal course of carrying out their duties to help enforce our immigration laws. Secondly. it will expand the National Crime Information Centers Immigration Violators File to include those individuals who are known to be here illegally. or known to be here legally. so they can be crossreferenced in an Instant and not have to worry about getting incorrect information or making assumptions. This piece of legislation expands the 287(g) program. which Is a very popular program with our law enforcement officials. Three of my counties in Georgia are already utilizing this program. What it does is. the Federal Government steps In with a county anywhere in the country to provide the law enforcement officials in that county with training and instructions as to how to deal with folks who are found to be violating our immigration laws. Lastly. it will compensate State and local entities for immigrationenforcementrelated expenses. Madam President. common sense is what we are asking for here when it comes to enforcing the border and providing our law enforcement officials with the tools necessary to assist in making sure our borders are secure. With that. I look forward to working with my other colleagues on their particular pieces of legislation as we move forward to make sure we restore confidence with the American people when It comes to border security. and we will be able to truly say we have secured the border. and here is how we have done it. I yield the floor.