Rep. Kirkpatrick Leads Fight to Add New Personnel, Technology to Secure the Border
Bill Will Put Napolitano Plan to Move Resources to Southwest into Effect
April 2, 2009 (WASHINGTON) – Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (D-AZ), Arizona’s sole representative on the House Committee on Homeland Security, today introduced a bill to give the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) authorization to dramatically increase security resources along the U.S.-Mexican border.
The Border Violence Protection Act of 2009, H.R. 1867, would enact much of the plan proposed by Secretary Janet Napolitano last week, allowing DHS to shift its resources to the Southwest. The department will be supplying modern technology to catch smugglers at border crossings and providing more support for programs with track records of success in bolstering security along the frontier between the United States and Mexico.
“It is clear that the presence of Mexican drug cartels on the border has led to escalating violence, and it requires a swift, comprehensive and sustained response,” said Rep. Kirkpatrick. “We are going to put our resources where they can do the most good, taking advantage of 21st-century technology and building up programs that have proven effective in making our borders safer.”
“This plan is a vital first step towards stopping the drug-related violence in northern Mexico from spilling onto American soil, and we will closely monitor the impact of these resources and prepare to do more if and when necessary,” continued Rep. Kirkpatrick.
Under the terms of this act, the Border Patrol will be able to use special mobile X-Ray units and high-tech screening devices to reinforce their capability to scan cross-border traffic, making it easier for them to detect hidden weapons and currency.
The plan also allows DHS to double the number of Border Enforcement Security Task Force teams and mobilizes eight new Law Enforcement Tactical Centers to help the different levels of law enforcement responsible for guarding the border work together. In addition, it brings three new mobile response teams to the Southwest, where they will be able to quickly jump into action when problems arise along the frontier. These programs have repeatedly been demonstrated to be valuable weapons against smuggling, violence and other problems associated with lack of security at the border.
“Getting more boots on the ground is central to this effort, but coordination is also extremely important,” said Rep. Kirkpatrick. “This plan will allow federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement to coordinate their efforts, strengthen our ability to investigate and target criminals and build on the progress we have had in catching smugglers.”
“The escalating violence in the U.S-Mexico border region is a serious security threat,” said Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS). “This legislation takes aim at that threat by strengthening DHS's capacity through the increase of technology and personnel to combat the violence and smuggling occurring on our borders."
“I applaud Congresswoman Kirkpatrick’s leadership on border security and I look forward to working with her on this critical issue,” said Representative Thompson.
The Congresswoman has emphasized that the DHS plan does not take any options off the table, and that she considers this bill just one piece of a new, tougher approach to border security.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Homeland Security Committee: Dena Graziano or Adam Comis at 202-225-9978
Rep. Kirkpatrick: Joe Katz at 202-225-2315 or Kyle McNally at 520-437-9478
