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Congressman Aderholt Visits the Mexican Border for Firsthand Report
04/19/06WASHINGTON, DC -- Congressman Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) today returned from Laredo, Texas, a town on the United States-Mexico border. His visit allowed him to see border operations firsthand. He visited the Lincoln/Juarez and World Trade Bridges and was briefed by United States Customs and Border Protection officers, through the Department of Homeland Security. After the briefings and after touring the crossing points where thousands of cars and trucks pass daily, Congressman Aderholt was able to join late night patrols of the banks of the Rio Grande. Mexicans attempt to illegally cross the U.S. border at this location on a daily basis.
“To effectively deal with the immigration concerns in the United States we must, first and foremost, control our borders. Otherwise, anything else we do will be ineffective,” said Congressman Aderholt.
Congressman Aderholt continues to pursue better solutions to the immigration problems in Alabama. With his support, the Border Protection, Anti-terrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005 (H.R.4437) passed the House in December 2005. This legislation further fortifies our borders by: establishing operational control of all borders and ports through enhanced Border Patrol operations, physical barriers, and state-of-the-art technology; ending the “catch and release” practice along the southwest border; streamlining operations within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) border security agencies; and promoting both international and domestic policies that will deter further illegal entry into the United States.
“The men and women patrolling and protecting our borders are working hard and doing a fantastic job, but they need more resources, such as technology and support personnel. The House version of the immigration reform legislation, H.R. 4437, will provide the U.S. Department of Homeland Security with a helpful portion of those resources. Though this legislation is only the beginning-it is a good beginning. I urge the Senate to seriously look at this legislation, pass it, and send it to the President,” added Congressman Aderholt.