(Katherine) Harris co-sponsors fence bill; Nelson votes against border security

TAMPA, FL— Congresswoman Katherine Harris, the Republican candidate for United States Senate, became a co-sponsor yesterday for H.R. 6061, The Secure Fence Act, to confront the immediate need for additional infrastructure to help secure our borders from terrorists and other criminal elements. A vote on the bill is anticipated later today. Her opponent, Bill Nelson has stymied recent efforts to bolster border security by voting in favor of Senate Amendment 4188, legislation that includes provisions requiring the United States to consult with Mexico before building a border fence.

As noted in a Washington Times article this past July, Kris Kobach (former Counsel to then Attorney General John Ashcroft) commented before a House subcommittee that, “I know of no other provision in U.S. law where the federal government requires state and local governments — every state and local government on the border — to consult with state and local governments of a foreign power before the federal government can act.” He went on to add that such a mandate would result in endless delay.

Congresswoman Katherine Harris stands up for our security and will never cater to foreign governments, when the safety of the American people is at stake. Mexico refuses to aggressively confront illegal immigration and may actually encourage its citizens to break our laws, as evidenced by a publication put out by Mexico’s Foreign Ministry detailing helpful tips for potential illegal immigrants.

Representative Harris strongly asserts, “Our national security must always come first. In the war on terror, delay can be deadly, and Nelson’s decision to mandate consultations with Mexico on the issue of the border fence is dangerous for America. I am proud to co-sponsor legislation that will make a tremendous difference at the borders, and I will continue to put the safety of our citizens first and foremost.”

The Secure Fence Act provides for over 700 miles of two-layered reinforced fencing as well as cameras, ground sensors, unmanned aerial vehicles and integrated surveillance technology. Additionally, it requires the Department of Homeland Security to empower and equip border personnel with the necessary resources to disable fleeing vehicles.

(Courtesy of http://www.grassfire.org

Below are the House's ten "Border Security Now" priorities:

More Border Fencing and Improved Surveillance Technology

Secure Fence Act: Authorizes the construction of 700 miles of reinforced fencing along the southwest border. Mandates that the Department of Homeland Security achieve operational control over the entire border through a "virtual fence" that employs cameras, ground sensors, and unmanned aerial vehicles; and provides the necessary authority to border personnel to
disable fleeing vehicles. (Passed 9/14).

Funding for Secure Border Initiative

Homeland Security Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2007:
Provides $3.98 billion for the Secure Border Initiative,
the president's plan to gain operational control of our
borders over the next 5 years. Provides $161 million for
border security technology, including aerial surveillance
and unmanned aerial vehicles.

Funding for More Border Patrol Agents

Homeland Security Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2007:
Provides $2.33 billion in funding for the United States
Border Patrol, including funds for 1,200 new border patrol
agents, to support a workforce of 13,580 agents. Also
provides $2.65 billion for Immigrations and Customs
Enforcement (ICE), including funding for an additional
1,212 ICE agents and officers, for a total of 11,500.

Catch & Return," not "Catch & Release"

Fairness in Immigration Litigation Act: Ends outdated
injunctions that prevent the effective enforcement of
immigration laws and has led to "catch and release"
policies. Gangs, such as MS-13, have exploited these
loopholes, and many criminal aliens have been released
onto our streets.

Detention and Deportation of Alien Gang Members

Alien Gang Removal Act: Prohibits alien gang members from
entering the U.S. and allows for detention and deportation
of alien gang members already within the country.

Expedited Removal of Alien Criminals

Criminal Alien Removal Act: Allows for expedited removal of
alien criminals who are not permanent residents. Currently, these aliens are placed in lengthy removal proceedings despite the fact that they are ineligible for relief.

Increase in Prosecution of Alien Smugglers

Alien Smuggler Prosecution Act: Authorizes an increase in the number of federal prosecutors for alien smuggling cases and encourages the attorney general to establish uniform guidelines for prosecution of smuggling offenses.

Criminalization of Construction and Financing
of Border Tunnels

Border Tunnel Prevention Act: Creates criminal penalties of
up to 20 years’ imprisonment for knowingly constructing or
financing the construction of unauthorized tunnels at the
border to stop the possible smuggling of aliens, contraband, drugs, weapons, or terrorists.

Detention of Dangerous Aliens Unable to be Deported

Dangerous Alien Detention Act: Allows for the continued
detention of dangerous aliens under orders of removal for
more than six months if they cannot be removed within the
six month timeframe. Currently the Department of Homeland
Security has no choice but to release many criminal aliens
back into our country when they cannot be removed in six months.

Reaffirm Authority of State and Local law Enforcement to
Enforce Immigration Laws

State and Local Law Enforcement Cooperation in the Enforcement of Immigration Law Act: Reaffirms the authority of state and local law enforcement to voluntarily investigate, identify, detain, and transfer to federal custody aliens in the United States in order to assist in the enforcement of immigration laws.

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