Legislation includes major gains for border protection, including 3,000 more Border Patrol agents
WASHINGTON - U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords today announced her strong support for the Homeland Security Appropriations bill now being debated by the House.
“This legislation makes border protection a top priority and provides funding that is absolutely essential for Southeastern Arizona,” the Tucson lawmaker said. “It is a crucial first step in achieving my ultimate goal - the passage of tough, comprehensive immigration reform.”
The $36 billion bill includes:
- $8.8 billion for the Customs and Border Protection agency, $50 million more than President Bush requested;
- $1 billion for the Secure Border Initiative (SBI), which will be launched in Arizona later this year and allows the Border Patrol to harness the latest technology in securing the border;
- Funding for 3,000 additional Border Patrol Agents, bringing the number of agents to 17,819 by next year; and
- Provisions that will help end the controversial “catch and release” policy by requiring the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency to identify incarcerated criminals who are in the country illegally and begin deportation proceedings immediately upon their release from prison.
“The Border Patrol's Tucson Sector is the single most porous section of the U.S.-Mexico border,” Giffords said. “Approximately 2,000 people and thousands of pounds of drugs cross into the sector everyday. Arizonans are rightfully fed up with this sad state of affairs. Passage of the Homeland Security Appropriations bill hopefully will help change that.”
The bill is one of a dozen appropriations bills Congress must pass to fund various federal agencies and departments, and keep the federal government running. It provides funding for the Department of Homeland Security, including critical counterterrorism measures, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, ICE, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.