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Cornyn Backs Bill To Provide Enhanced Support To Border Law Enforcement
Border patrol and law enforcement officials play an essential role in safeguarding the nation
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
WASHINGTON—U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee’s Immigration, Border Security and Refugees subcommittee, today announced his support for legislation that would significantly increase federal support for state and local law enforcement officials who are stationed along the nation’s borders. Sen. Cornyn is an original co-sponsor of the Border Law Enforcement Relief Act of 2008, introduced by U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., which would set up a new grant program under the Department of Justice (DOJ) for border law enforcement relief, including funds to acquire needed law enforcement tools, technology and equipment, and to hire additional personnel.
“Our Texas border patrol and law enforcement officials play an essential role not only in keeping cities and communities across Texas safe, but also in safeguarding the nation against terrorism, drug and human trafficking, and other threats that endanger the lives and well-being of all Americans. I have and continue to support any avenues to provide these hard-working men and women with better equipment, more resources, and the tools they need to secure our borders and keep America safe,” Sen. Cornyn said.
Provisions of the Border Law Enforcement Relief Act of 2008:
- Sets up a new grant program within DOJ for border law enforcement relief, including funding for equipment, personnel, and operational costs.
- Funding is available to eligible law enforcement agencies within 100 miles of the Northern or Southern borders (or if more than 100 miles, within a county designated as a High Impact Area in regard to drug trafficking).
- Authorizes $100 million annually over 5 fiscal years to cover the state and local grants.
Sen. Cornyn’s past support for border law enforcement:
- Sen. Cornyn co-sponsored an amendment offered by Sen. Graham, the Border Security First Act of 2007, which would have added $3 billion in emergency funding for border security improvements to the FY 2008 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill. Unfortunately, Senate Democrat leaders later stripped the amendment from the bill.
- Sen. Cornyn also offered an amendment to the FY 2008 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill that would direct the $3 billion he supported in emergency funding for border security to be used to enforce America’s immigration laws, including interior enforcement, detention and removal of criminal aliens, and funding of 287(g) agreements between DHS and state and local law enforcement agencies.
- The Senate unanimously passed a measure offered by Sen. Cornyn in July 2007 to authorize $100 million in funding for border law enforcement officials. The funding reimburses law enforcement officials who participate in immigration training initiatives, including identifying, processing and detaining offenders. This doubled the amount originally authorized in the FY 2008 Homeland Security Appropriations bill.
- In November 2007, Sen. Cornyn also filed the Emergency Border Funding Act of 2007 (S. 2348), to reemphasize the need for Congress to provide $3 billion in emergency funding for border security and interior enforcement.
- In December 2007, Sen. Cornyn wrote to Congressional Democrat leaders, urging them to include $3 billion in emergency funding for border security, which they had blocked earlier in the year, in the Omnibus Appropriations bill. The funding was finally included.
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