Earlier today, I posted a piece on Republican Leader, my Congressman and a Great American -- John Boehner's -- view of the immigration bill currently being discussed in DeeCee and got a wonderful question from fellow SOBer Brian about Boehner's record on the issue.Well, Brian, here's what my friends in Boehner's office have put together for you:
Boehner has spearheaded efforts in the House to reform the nation’s immigration laws and secure our borders. He believes that we must first secure our borders and he will not support a bill that does not put a premium on enforcing our immigration laws. Congressman Boehner has never voted for amnesty and has no plans for vote for amnesty in the future.
Some highlights of what Boehner has done regarding stopping the flow of illegal immigrants coming across our borders and strengthening our immigration laws:
FY2007 Homeland Security Appropriations Conference Report funds critical measures designed to strengthen the country’s border security and stem the flow of illegal immigrants coming across the borders.
$2.77 billion for border patrol, adding 1,500 new Border Patrol agents, for a total of 14,800;
$1.2 billion for border fencing, vehicle barriers, technology and infrastructure;
$4.2 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE);
$3.1 billion for Coast Guard homeland security missions;
$1.38 billion for ICE custody operations, adding 6,700 detention bids, for a total of 27,500;
$135 million to support immigration verification systems.
Secure Fence Act
Authorizes more than 700 miles of two-layered reinforced fencing and places a priority on critical, highly populated areas along the SW border;
Will help the Department of Homeland Security gain operational control over the entire border through a “virtual fence” using cameras, ground sensors, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and integrated surveillance technology.
Community Protection Act
Allows DHS to detain and deport illegal immigrants who are members of a gang and bar them from receiving asylum or temporary protected status.
Immigration Law Enforcement Act
Ends “catch and release” and institutes “catch and return;”
Provides law enforcement with additional tools for prosecuting smuggling offenses;
Enhances the ability of state and local authorities to voluntarily investigate, identify, apprehend, arrest, detain and transfer to federal custody illegal immigrants
Border Tunnel Prevention Act
Individuals who knowingly construct, finance or allow the construction of an unauthorized tunnel across a U.S. international border can be sentence up for up to 20 years;
Individuals caught using such a tunnel to smuggle illegal immigrants, contraband, drugs, weapons or terrorists can face even greater penalties.
Here’s a couple of links where you see what he’s done in the past:
- IMMIGRATION ISSUES
- PRESS RELEASE / FACT SHEET
- BORDER SECURITY HEARINGS (JULY)
- BORDER SECURITY HEARINGS (AUGUST)
