Crapo: Border bill can promote long-term solutions

Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo today applauded the Presidential signing of the Secure Fence Act of 2006; President Bush signed the legislation this morning at the White House. Crapo says the bill provides both an immediate response to Homeland Security issues and lays the foundation for appropriate immigration reform in Congress. It authorizes hundreds of miles of additional fencing, more vehicle barriers, checkpoints, lighting and new technology to increase security along the border. "This bill does far more than simply provide a secure border fence. It is an essential first step in ensuring sound immigration policy and tackles other concerns such as deportation facilities, border guard patrols and immigration personnel," Crapo said. "While we still need to work toward comprehensive immigration reform, this law helps establish necessary border security and puts us on the path toward workable and sensible immigration programs." The Secure Fence Act of 2006, when partnered with appropriations for Homeland Security and the Department of Defense, means Congress has provided the following border security enhancements over the past two years: § Added more than 3,000 new Border Patrol Agents, for a total of 14,555 § Added more than 9,000 new Detention Beds for a total of 27,500 § Added 370 miles of Border Security Fencing and added 461 miles of Vehicle Barriers along the Southwest border § Added $682 million for Border Tactical Infrastructure and Facilities Construction § Added more than 1,300 Detention Personnel for a total of more than 5,500 § Added 460 new Customs and Border Protection officers for Seaport Inspections for a total of 18,321 CBP officers at all ports of entry # # #