Letter to Janet Napolitano, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security

Letter

Congressman Jerry Moran today asked Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano to take prompt action to fully secure or remove two metal bridges that cross the Rio Grande River, which separates the United States from Mexico. The Associated Press (AP) reported the presence of these two bridges near Acala, Texas, last week.

According to the AP, the bridges serve as flood control structures and are owned by the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC), an international body responsible for applying boundary and water treaties between Mexico and the U.S. Yet, press reports indicate the bridges are being used by individuals to illegally enter the U.S. due to a lack of adequate security.

"These two bridges provide illegal immigrants, drug smugglers and possibly even terrorists quick and easy access into our country," Moran said. "Their presence highlights the failure of the federal government to secure our borders. Taxpayers have spent billions of dollars on border security measures, including fencing. Yet, not far from a section of fencing, these bridges undermine efforts to secure the border and frustrate taxpayers who want to see the borders secured now."

Moran requested Secretary Napolitano work with the IBWC to rectify this gap in border security. Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins (R-KS) and Representatives Dan Burton (R-IN), Robert Aderholt (R-AL), Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) and Lamar Smith (R-TX) joined Moran in making this request.

Moran believes strongly in the need to secure America's borders and is a sponsor of the leading border security bill in Congress, H.R. 3308, the Secure America through Verification and Enforcement, or SAVE, Act. The SAVE Act will strengthen border security by hiring additional Border Patrol agents and making use of technology to monitor and protect our national boundaries.

Dear Secretary Napolitano:

The Associated Press reported on August 19, 2010 the presence of two metal bridges across the Rio Grande River, separating the United States from Mexico, that lack adequate security and provide quick and easy access into our country for illegal immigrants, drug smugglers and possibly even terrorists. We ask that you promptly work with the International Boundary and Water Commission, which maintains these bridges near Acala, Texas, to either fully secure or remove them.

The presence of these two bridges highlights the failure of the federal government to secure our borders. American taxpayers have spent billions of dollars on border security measures, including fencing. Yet, not far from a section of fencing, these bridges undermine efforts to secure the border and frustrate taxpayers who want to see border security addressed in a comprehensive and competent manner.

We understand the U.S. Border Patrol monitors these bridges. Yet, in the absence of gates or more robust security measures to prevent illegal crossings, the bridges undermine border security. Unobstructed or unmanned bridges should not exist along the border. We ask that you assist Border Patrol agents in their work to secure the border by taking immediate action to fully secure or remove these two footbridges, and any others that may similarly exist.

Our borders must be secured. Please work with the International Boundary and Water Commission to rectify this gap in border security.

Sincerely,

Jerry Morgan
Dan Burton
Lynn Jenkins
Bob Goodlatte
Robert Aderholt
Lamar Smith