Date: 2010-08-10
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Madam Speaker. I am very glad that Democrats are doing the responsible thing. and we know we need to be doing more. This is an important step because it substitutes for some of the misguided legislative initiatives that States are promoting. such as Arizona and Texas. I know there is a sense of desperation. but we on this side of the border have to ensure and have to be able to move forward on border security. and as well for those of us who are arguing vigorously for the comprehensive approach. addressing the needs of so many who are here simply wanting to work. We have to look to both directions. So I am rising to support this bill and this legislation. recognizing that there are people who are crying their heart out. saying when is this Congress going to do comprehensive immigration reform? But just as we have to clean this up. weve got a problem in those on the other side of the aisle not recognizing that we have to do this as a total package. But the Border Patrol agents funding. the CBP funding. $68 million to hire 250 new Customs and Border Protection personnel is important. The tactical communications is important. For those of us who live on the border. who have been to the border. who know border areas. we understand that the value of this is also to save lives. save the many people who are coming here for work but are dying in the desert. children. women who are coming hereyes. out of desperation. but still they are coming and dying in these deserts. This has to be stopped. We do need more monies for ATF and DEA. In my own city of Houston. it is a center point. unfortunately. for a lot of drug cartels and gunrunning. So I know that there is an emergency. It is relevant to do this today. But I wish my friends as well would stop blocking us from looking holistically at real. comprehensive immigration reform. so that people who want to come here to work can. so that young people who want to go to school can. so that families who are innocent and want to be here without being jeopardized by phony laws and can stay here and pay and invest into this Nation. I support this legislation. Madam Speaker. I am pleased to come before you today in support of H.R. 6080. the "Emergency Border Security Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2010."-a bill that appropriates $600 million for border security activities along the Southwest Border. including $254 million for Customs and Border Protection. of which $176 million would be used to hire additional border patrol agents. as well as $196 million for the Justice Department. and $80 million for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. As Chairwoman of the Homeland Security Transportation Security & Infrastructure Protection Subcommittee. I want to thank Chairman OBEY and Ranking Member LEWIS for your leadership on this timely legislation. This is an important bill that provides the necessary funding that is essential to the assistance our Border States so greatly needs. Our Border States are frustrated and in need of targeted assistance. In recent months. I have attended a number of different hearings. meetings with local and state officials. and press conferences on immigration. combating the drug trade. and improving the border. and in almost all instances. I have heard the same comment: Border States are frustrated. The deeply misguided Arizona Law. (SB1070) for example. is an expression of that frustration. Unless we want to see more of a backlash. we in the Federal Government must do more to help our Border States. which is vital to securing our nation and upholding our immigration laws. and helping local and state officials secure our Border States. The United States continues to fight the battle against the powerful drug trafficking organizations that have plagued our sister cities just across the border with violence. We have been fortunate thus far that for the most part the violence has not spilled over into the United States. but we cannot depend on being insulated forever. Instability abroad is a danger to stability at home. and we have a vested interest in helping our neighbors to the southwest power away from the criminal organizations that have threatened the safety of their citizens and brought drugs into our country. First of all. we need to do more than just provide "boots on the ground" to help secure our borders. While deterrence through additional personnel is essential to improving security. several members of the law enforcement community have stressed the importance of providing more resources for investigators and detectives. who can help to ferret out and dismantle the criminal activities taking place on our borders. Moreover. while federal agencies have improved their coordination with the Border States. communication within local and State authorities continues to be problematic. Communication in disperse rural areas presents a particular challenge. At a hearing on the Merida Initiative. I heard the moving testimony of a rancher from rural Arizona. Mr. Bill McDonald. He pointed out how a lack of resources and a rapid turnover rate make communication extremely important. but extremely lacking. These rural areas. and the people who live there. are in many cases the most vulnerable to human traffickers and drug traffickers. There is a desperate need for Border States to receive the necessary support to effectively secure our borders from threats and ensure a safe and stable environment for our border residents. More robust. well funded. and well resourced law enforcement systems are exactly what our Border States and residents demand. These appropriations to improve law enforcement efforts at our Border States are only a small part of more comprehensive reforms to our immigration system. Reforms that the American people are crying out for and that I sincerely hope my fellow Members will stand behind. This legislation honors our first responsibility to protect the American people by giving law enforcement the tools they need to address the threat of violence near the U.S.Mexico border. With investments in expanding the number of Border Patrol agents and Customs and Border Protection officers. improving our border surveillance efforts. and increasing resources for antismuggling investigations. we are tackling our border security challenges head on. This is one of the central pillars of bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform.