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Committee on Homeland Security Passes Border Security Reform Bill

Date: Nov. 17, 2005
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Immigration


Committee on Homeland Security Passes Border Security Reform Bill
November 17, 2005

(Washington D.C.)- Today, the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security passed the Border Security and Terrorism Protection Act of 2005. This comprehensive border security reform legislation was introduced by Homeland Security Committee Chairman Peter King (R-NY), and will help to enhance security along America's borders and ensure the removal of undocumented aliens who enter the United States.

The comprehensive border bill includes the language from Congressman McCaul's Border Security Detention and Enforcement Act of 2005, which will end the 'catch and release' policy of Other-than-Mexican (OTM) illegal aliens, and will help the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide enough detention space to hold these undocumented aliens.

Congressman McCaul was also able to include an amendment to the bill that would allow states the flexibility to use their Federal homeland security grant dollars for border security functions that would normally be carried out by a Federal agency. Simply, this amendment would allow for reimbursements to state and local governments for a portion of the tremendous costs they have incurred from supporting the federal government in its efforts to secure our borders.

"State and local governments should not be expected to assume this already large and growing financial burden from securing our borders. My amendment is a proper and logical step to help our state and local law enforcement agencies remain solvent in America's battle for true border security," stated Congressman McCaul.

Overall, the bill takes steps to ensure that terrorists cannot enter the United States illegally 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.

http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/tx10_mccaul/11_17_05_HLS_c_bor.html

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