Enhanced Border Enforcement A Step In Right Direction, Says Gordon

August 23, 2007, WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s announcement earlier this month to step up enforcement of current border security laws came as welcome news to U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon.

“It’s up to Congress to pass strong laws to protect our borders, but it’s up to the Administration and the executive branch of the federal government to enforce the laws already on the books,” said Gordon. “When you consider that we have 12 million people in the U.S. illegally, it’s clear that we need to do a better job of enforcing the laws we have.”

Homeland Security plans to intensify efforts to curb illegal border crossings by increasing the number of Border Patrol agents, constructing fencing along key areas of the border and using more high-tech tools to monitor the U.S. border.

In addition, Homeland Security officials are working to expand programs that allow local law enforcement officials to address illegal immigration in their communities by forming partnerships with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. One of the programs allows local officers to verify the immigration status of people arrested for other crimes.

Gordon has voted for congressional legislation that would help in those efforts to secure the border and better enforce current immigration laws.

“The 9/11 Commission pointed to our vast land borders as a potential way for terrorists to enter the country,” said Gordon. “Our broken borders are more than just a threat to our national security; they’re also wide open for those who want to smuggle drugs into our communities.”

The Drug Enforcement Administration estimates that 80 percent of the meth consumed in the United States is produced in labs operated by Mexico-based drug traffickers. The DEA also reports meth seizures at the U.S.-Mexico border increased 129 percent from 2001 to 2005.

“Strong laws have reduced the number of domestic meth labs, but law enforcement officials are seeing more internationally-produced meth in our communities,” said Gordon. “This is just one more reason why we need to secure our nation’s broken borders. If we address the drug smuggling there, we may not have to address it in our neighborhoods.”

Gordon has been a champion of congressional efforts to fight methamphetamine abuse. He has introduced legislation to help ensure the safe clean-up of domestic meth lab sites and has voted to double fines for using border tunnels to smuggle people and drugs into the United States.