Speech #CREC-2017-09-06-pt1-PgH7072-2_t93

CARTER of Texas. Mr. Chair, the proposal to cut ICE funding for enforcement of immigration laws and removal of those here illegally will not only endanger the safety of the American people, it will also convey to bad actors that the rule of law no longer exists in the United States, leading to increased border crossings and a growing overall illegal alien population. Cutting funding for beds will lead to the release of criminal and other removable aliens into communities across the country and weaken the United States border security. The hiring of additional ICE agents is needed to protect our communities by preventing terrorism and reducing crime through the vigorous enforcement of immigration and custom laws. Restricting this hiring compromises ICE's law enforcement mission, jeopardizing homeland security and public safety. Interior immigration enforcement is indispensable to national security and public safety. It cannot be separated from border security. A successful border control and immigration system must be supported by the enforcement of all pertinent laws. Adding funds to procure another polar icebreaker, while a noble idea, is simply not practical at this time. The Coast Guard is still in the early stages of design and will not be ready to procure the first icebreaker until late fiscal year 2019 at the earliest. The funds will be unexecutable and, therefore, a waste of limited resources that we have. In addition, if you discuss with the border patrol about the biggest deterrent we have, it is the threat of detention. Mr. Chair, I ask that my colleagues join me in opposing this amendment.