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Homeland Security 5 Year Anniversary 2003 - 2008, One Team, One Mission Securing the Homeland

Fact Sheet: Secure Border Initiative Update

Release Date: August 23, 2006

Ending Catch and Release

  • 99% Apprehended Now Being Detained For Return. In the week of August 7-13, 2006, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) apprehended 1055 non-Mexican illegal aliens at the Southern border, and released only 7 non-Mexican illegal aliens.
  • Last Year Only 34% Detained. This year’s detention numbers are a dramatic improvement. For comparison, in January of this year, the number of apprehensions was significantly higher, and DHS was only able to detain half of the non-Mexican illegal aliens arrested. At this time last year, the detention rate was 34% of all non-Mexican illegal aliens apprehended.
  • 4,000 More Beds: President Bush is asking Congress for $327 million to end the policy of “catch and release”. The President's FY07 budget proposes increasing the number of beds in detention facilities to 27,500 by the end of FY07. $257 million has been approved which will add 4,000 beds this year alone. In fact, 500 beds were added in Willacy County, Texas, in less than 45 days.

Deploying the National Guard to Provide Support

The National Guard supports and assists the CBP Border Patrol as new agents are trained and added. The Administration is coordinating with governors for the sustained deployment of up to 6,000 National Guardsmen to the southern border.

Operational Successes Supported by National Guard (June 15, 2006 – present)

  • Alien Apprehensions - 6,200
  • Vehicle Seizures - 130
  • Marijuana Seized (lbs) - 31,000
  • Cocaine Seized (lbs) - 1,500
  • Aliens Rescued - 43
  • Currency - $11,000

Carrying Out Joint Operations

In conjunction with federal, state, and local partners, and as part of the broader border security and interior enforcement strategy, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has launched targeted border enforcement operations major operations to target violent street gangs and other criminal elements within our communities.

  • Operation Streamline: Launched in December 2005, CBP, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Department of Justice created a zero tolerance zone for illegal entries in the Del Rio Border Patrol Sector. Beginning with a five miles stretch of the border, Operation Streamline now spans the entire 210 mile Del Rio Sector border, which has seen a 31 percent decrease in apprehensions compared to the same period last fiscal year.
  • Operation Community Shield:  Launched in February 2005, Community Shield targets violent gangs across the country that pose a threat to our communities' public safety and national security. Since its inception, Operation Community Shield has resulted in the arrest of more than 3,400 gang members and associates from more than 350 different gangs.
  • Operation Return to Sender:  In the largest operation of its kind in U.S. history, ICE agents and officers apprehended approximately 8,455 criminal aliens, fugitive aliens, and other immigration status violators as part of a nationwide interior immigration enforcement effort.

Supporting State and Local Partners

By providing additional funding and training, the Administration is strengthening its partnerships and coordination with state and local authorities.

  • Providing $65 Million in State and Local Assistance:  DHS is working with partners to expand targeted immigration enforcement by state and local authorities. In the FY06 Emergency Funding Bill, $50 million is being provided for the expansion of training for these authorities. ICE will provide training for 1,500 local law enforcement officers to bolster border security efforts. $15 million will also be provided for Operation Stonegarden, which can be used by Border States for operational overtime, National Guard deployments, and other border security related activities.

Overcoming Significant Obstacles Blocking Removal

Several major obstacles are blocking DHS’ efforts to apprehend and return illegal migrants. The department is working with Congress and legal venues to overcome them.

  • Aiding Employers in Detecting Social Security Number Fraud:  Each year, hundreds of thousands of Social Security numbers are reported by the Social Security Administration as registering a “no-match”. DHS has issued a proposed regulation that describes an employer’s current obligation under the immigrations laws, and its options for avoiding liability, after receiving a no-match letter. Under current law, the Social Security Administration does not provide sufficient access of no-match data to ICE. DHS is working with Congress to change that. The department will also permit I-9 records to be kept electronically, which will enable employers and investigators to more accurately investigate potential problems.
  • Working to End the “Orantes” Injunction:  El Salvadorans account for the largest number of apprehended illegal migrants, with the exception of Mexicans. An injunction imposed in the 1980’s interferes with El Salvadorian removal. This outdated injunction is a major obstacle in DHS’ effort to implement a policy of “catch and return”. DHS is seeking court and legislative action to end it.

This page was last reviewed/modified on August 23, 2006.