Washington, D.C. - Rep. Rick Larsen commended President Bush today for getting closer to meeting the needs of the northern border.   President Bush’s budget, which was released today, included $5.3 billion for Immigration and Naturalization Services (INS) and $2.3 billion for U.S. Customs - two of the key agencies largely responsible for protecting the northern border.  

While there was a new emphasis on northern border security, the President’s request did not specify how much of this funding would go toward resources at the northern border.

“In the past, the needs of the northern border have been virtually ignored,” said Larsen.  “These new funding levels for homeland security definitely set us in the right direction toward meeting those needs.  Only the future will reveal if these funding levels are adequate.”

According to the President’s request, Bush’s proposed budget would double the number of border patrol agents and inspectors along the northern border.  Last year Congress passed The PATRIOT Act, which authorized funding to triple the number of inspectors and agents for INS and U.S. Customs.  

President Bush’s budget request was an increase of $1.2 billion for INS and $619 million for Customs from funding levels for last year.  

Larsen explained, “Congress must ensure that these increases translate into new staff and improved technology at our local border crossings.”

In addition to increasing staff, these higher funding levels are to be used to pay for technology improvements.  For example, INS will implement a new entry-exit system to track the arrival and departure of non-U.S. citizens, improving our ability to speed up the entry of good traffic.  Also, $313 million will be used for Customs to increase trade by converting to a paperless process called the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) system.  

The President also expressed his desire to increase the number of participants in Dedicated Commuter Lane programs.  The DCL in Whatcom County has been closed since September 11th.

Larsen is a member of the Northern Border Caucus and has five border crossings in his district.