Letter to the Hon. John Carter, Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Defense and the Hon. Lucille Roybal-Allard, Ranking Member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Defense - Rep. Carbajal Secures $110 Million in DHS Funding Authorization to Combat Panga Smuggling
Letter
Dear Chairman Carter and Ranking Member Roybal-Allard,
I am writing to express strong support for Operation Stonegarden, currently funded under the State Homeland Security Grant Program. Specifically, I request a dedicated appropriation to this program of at least $55 million to help our local law enforcement protect our borders.
Operation Stonegarden funds are critical to assist state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies as they partner with federal officials to jointly secure U.S. borders and territories, including efforts to combat drug smuggling, human trafficking, and other border concerns. This funding enhance theses entities' capabilities by providing support for additional law enforcement personnel, overtime pay, and travel and lodging for deployment of state and local personnel to further increase our presence along the borders.
This is particularly important in my district along the Central Coast of California where we have seen an increase in small-craft smuggling of narcotics and, in some cases human, using traditional Mexican fishing boats called "pangas." Local law enforcement officials estimate that each boat carries at least 1 ton of illegal drugs, usually marijuana although methamphetamine smuggling has also been reported. In addition, undocumented immigrants have been smuggled on these boats and could be victims of human trafficking.
Thank you for all you do to protect the citizens of the United States. I stand ready to work with you to ensure that we are doing all we can to keep our citizens and our coastline safe. Operation Stonegarden funds are a critical to provide efficient border security and encourage cooperation between federal, state, and local law enforcement. Your strong support of this program will strengthen these links and help secure our borders.
Sincerely,
SALUD CARBAJAL
Member of Congress
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