Idaho Congressmen Praise Passage of Secure Fence Act to Strengthen America's Border Security
Idaho Congressmen Praise Passage of Secure Fence Act to Strengthen America's Border Security
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Congressmen Mike Simpson and C.L. "Butch" Otter today praised the passage of H.R. 6061, the Secure Fence Act. H.R. 6061 provides additional fencing, border infrastructure and more state-of-the-art technology and surveillance.
"Border security is absolutely essential to national security. Border security is not just about illegal immigration, it is about violent criminals, terrorists, and the importation of illegal drugs," said Simpson. "The billions of dollars we've spent to secure our nation's public places, schools, playgrounds, homes, and businesses will be wasted if we can't simultaneously secure our borders."
"My constituents leave no room for doubt where they stand: They want our borders secure, and so do I," Otter said. "Certainly we must streamline the system for ensuring American employers legally get the labor they need, but our first priority must be enforcing our laws and addressing the security concerns we all share. We can't afford to wait any longer while the problem gets worse and worse."
The Secure Fence Act would strengthen operational control of all borders and ports through additional physical barriers and fencing and greater use of state-of-the-art technology and surveillance along the southwest border, including:
· Authorizing more than 700 miles of two-layered reinforced fencing along the southwest border with prioritized placement at critical, highly populated areas and requiring an evaluation of infrastructure needs along the northern border;
· Mandating that the Department of Homeland Security (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;
· Requiring DHS to 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; and Requiring DHS to assess vulnerabilities on the northern border.
http://www.house.gov/list/press/id02_simpson/secure_fence.html