IV 

110TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. CON. RES. 218 

Expressing the sense of Congress regarding United States immigration and 

border security laws. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

SEPTEMBER 24, 2007 

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and 

in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such 

provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 

Expressing the sense of Congress regarding United States 

immigration and border security laws. 

Whereas, since 1996, Congress has passed and the Executive 

Branch has enacted several laws related to border security and immigration reform; 

Whereas many of these laws have required substantial increases to employ more Border Patrol agents, including 

the objective of having 18,000 Border Patrol agents on 

payroll by the end of December 2008; 

Whereas increasing the number of Border Patrol agents will 

not only reduce the number of illegal crossings at the 

border but will also enhance United States national security; 


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•HCON 218 IH 

Whereas strengthening United States national security includes constructing and complying with the Secure Fence 

Act of 2006, by building 850 miles of fencing along the 

southern border with Mexico; 

Whereas the Secretary of Homeland Security is required to 

submit to Congress a report by October 26, 2007, on the 

progress made toward achieving and maintaining operational control over the international border; 

Whereas the program authorized under section 287(g) of the 

Immigration and Nationality Act provides the legal authority for State and local law enforcement to investigate, 

detain, and arrest aliens who have violated existing 

United States law; and 

Whereas greater participation in the section 287(g) program 

will help clarify the distinction between Federal responsibility and local responsibility: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 

2 concurring), That it is the Sense of the Congress that— 

3 (1) Congress should verify that current immi4 gration and border security laws are enforced; 

5 (2) the Secretary of Homeland Security should 

6 ensure that construction of the border fence is expe7 dited and use existing authority provided in the 

8 REAL ID Act to waive any legal requirements need9 ed for construction of such border fencing; 

10 (3) the report required by the Secretary should 

11 include recommendations that would enhance United 

12 States national security on the northern border and 


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•HCON 218 IH 

1 emphasize the Administration’s commitment to pro2 tecting both the southern and northern borders with 

3 Mexico and Canada; 

4 (4) Congress and the Administration should ex5 pand the program authorized under section 287(g) 

6 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, including by 

7 providing the appropriate funds and flexibility for 

8 State and local governments to use; 

9 (5) construction of the fence along the southern 

10 border should not be delayed; 

11 (6) Congress should fully fund the 18,000 Bor12 der Patrol agents as authorized under current law; 

13 and 

14 (7) State and law enforcement should be pro15 vided the necessary resources to prosecute those in16 dividuals who disregard United States immigration 

17 laws. 

Æ 


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