Carter: House-Passed Bill Will Address Bleeding At the Border

Washington, DC, Sep 14, 2006 - U.S. Congressman John Carter (TX-31) today supported House passage of a bill that will help secure our nation’s borders, the most pressing issue in the border security and immigration debate. H.R. 6061, the Secure Fence Act, is an emergency measure that would mandate operational control of all borders and ports through enhanced Border Patrol operations, physical barriers, and state-of-the-art technology along the southwest border, including reinforced fencing.

“The Secure Fence Act is the first step in addressing one of our nation’s greatest security vulnerabilities: our porous borders. I have consistently called for a plan that begins by securing our border with increased personnel and resources, and this goes a long way toward accomplishing these goals,” Congressman Carter said. “Additional resources along the Texas border have drastically lowered crime rates and made our nation more secure. This bill is an important piece of greater border security reform that is critical to our nation’s homeland security.”

· Provides for over 700 miles of two-layered reinforced fencing along the southwest border with prioritized placement at critical, highly populated areas, and requires an evaluation of infrastructure needs along the northern border;

· Mandates that DHS achieve and maintain operational control over the entire border through a “virtual fence” that deploys cameras, ground sensors, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), and integrated surveillance technology; and

· Requires that DHS provide all necessary authority to border personnel to disable fleeing vehicles similar to the authority held by the United States Coast Guard for maritime vessels.

Congressman Carter, a member of the House Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee, has toured the Texas-Mexico border three times in the past year to examine operations along the border. The Homeland Security Subcommittee has jurisdiction over the Department of Homeland Security, including the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency.