House Approves Border Security Legislation

December 17, 2005

WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman David Dreier (R-CA), Chairman of the House Rules Committee, voted last night to approve legislation that will strengthen our nation’s border security. The Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005, H.R. 4437, was approved with bipartisan support, 239-182.

“Passage of this bill is a critical step in the effort to better secure our nation’s borders,” Dreier said. “It provides the resources and technology necessary to effectively combat illegal immigration. It also addresses the issue of workplace enforcement, another critical aspect of the problem. My hope is that as the process moves forward, we will be able to craft a comprehensive immigration reform package that will ensure our border is more secure and at the same time, our economy remains growing and strong.”

The legislation strengthens border security by re-authorizing 8,000 new border patrol agents and 32,000 new detention beds. H.R. 4437 also incorporates state-of-the-art surveillance technology, including cameras, sensors, and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles along the border. Additionally, the legislation takes significant steps to enforce our immigration laws and reform detention and removal procedures. For example, the measure bars alien terrorists from becoming citizens and enhances cooperation between local law enforcement officers and federal immigration officials. H.R. 4437 also ends the “catch and release” policy by requiring mandatory detention for all aliens caught attempting to illegally enter the country and use of the expedited removal process for many of those caught. The bill also includes an amendment sponsored by Dreier that mandates the construction of specific security fencing in the five most vulnerable border zones totaling 698 miles. It calls for at least two layers of reinforced fencing, the installation of additional physical barriers, roads, lighting, cameras, and sensors.

Finally, the bill combats the hiring of illegal workers by providing employers with an electronic employment eligibility verification system. This program confirms or denies the work authorization status of prospective employees by verifying the authenticity of Social Security numbers. This provision closely mirrors the goal of legislation introduced by Dreier, H.R. 98, that would create a counterfeit-proof Social Security card for employer verification purposes and provides additional resources to the Department of Homeland Security to enforce compliance of laws regulating the hiring of illegal aliens. In addition, H.R. 4437, calls for the Social Security Administration to determine how best to effectively implement such a program.