Border security bill might jumpstart stalled immigration debate
- Aug 14, 2007 - comment
Having failed to pass comprehensive immigration reform legislation that would deal with the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants living in the United States, Congress has turned its attention to a border security bill and will resume consideration of the measure in September.
The Senate overwhelmingly approved the $3-billion border enforcement legislation, 89-1, in late July as an amendment to the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act (H.R. 2638), which ultimately passed 89-4.
Although the immigration amendment, the Border Security First Act, would leave unresolved the dilemma over how to handle the majority of illegal immigrants residing in the U.S., many backers of comprehensive immigration reform believe the measure is a good first-step toward a comprehensive plan to the immigration impasse. Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Mark Pryor (D-AR), who offered the amendment, were joined in support by multiple other senators known recently for their outspoken views on a comprehensive solution.
Specifically, the border security bill would:
- Provide funding for the 700 miles of fencing required under the Secure Fence Act;
- Provide funding for 300 miles of vehicle barriers;
- Provide funding for 105 ground-based radar and camera towers;
- Provide funding for four unmanned aerial vehicles to patrol the U.S.-Mexico border;
- Provide funding for hiring, training, and placing on duty 23,000 Customs and Border Patrol agents;
- Provide funding and benchmark dates to improve information gathering on illegal immigrants;
- Order the collection of biometric data and fingerprints of immigrants entering the U.S. at all entry ports;
- Increase penalties for fleeing border security, overstaying visas, returning to the U.S. after being deported, and committing crimes while in the U.S.;
- Ensure resources to end “Catch and Release” and detain up to 45,000 illegal immigrants per day;
- Create oversight programs to analyze the level of border security and to improve the security in place;
- Build new ports of entry to better facilitate legal entry after the implementation of the physical border security;
- Require the deportation of legal or illegal immigrants who participate in criminal gangs; and
- Give the secretary of Homeland Security discretion to detain illegal immigrants for 90 days prior to deportation, an order that can be renewed an indefinite number of times if the immigrant is deemed to be a threat.
When Congress returns in September, a conference committee will try to reconcile the Senate’s Homeland Security bill with the House-passed version, which does not include the border security provisions. President Bush, who has signaled reservations over some border security provisions, threatened to veto the overall bill because it exceeds his spending request by $2.4 billion.
Addressing security issues, both at the borders and within the country, is a good move to demonstrate to the American people that the government is serious about protecting our homeland and ending the constant flow of unidentified people into the U.S. While the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission has not yet fully examined the details of the bill or offered an endorsement, we believe it includes the principle components needed to move the nation toward comprehensive immigration reform.
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