Rep. Griffith Votes Again to Support Immigration Enforcement

10/15/2009 -- WASHINGTON – Congressman Parker Griffith voted today to pass the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2010 and to increase funding for border security and immigration law enforcement. H.R. 2892 passed the House Floor Friday and will be sent to the Senate before being signed into law by the President.

“Congress has taken a step in the right direction toward a serious and sustained effort to secure our borders,” Griffith said. “The security of this nation is priority number one, and this legislation provides critical funding to secure our borders, train our local first responders and safeguard the American people.”

Article continues below...

The Homeland Security Appropriations Bill is focused on securing our nation’s borders and preparing for potential disaster. The legislation invests $10.1 billion the office of Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which is responsible for combating counterdrug initiatives and blocking the flow of illegal immigrants. The office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will also be provided $5.4 billion to fund the investigation and removal of illegal immigrants. H.R. 2892 also extends the E-Verify system for three years.

“E-Verify is a simple tool that allows us to locally combat illegal immigration’s drain on our schools, hospitals and local governments,” Griffith said. “It is an effective and fiscally sound way to enforce the immigration laws that we already have on the books as we work toward comprehensive reform. After months of fighting for its implementation, I am pleased we have taken the first step in the program.”

Last month, Congressman Griffith traveled to the U.S.–Mexican border crossing at El Paso, Texas to oversee efforts to secure the border and meet with law enforcement officials charged with patrolling the southwestern border. The intensive two-day trip allowed Griffith to witness the needs of various agencies within the Department of Homeland Security to combat the flow of illegal immigration and avoid future tragedies North Alabama has experienced at the hands of those who have entered our country illegally.

“This visit showed me that we can secure our borders if we give our officers the tools and the resources to do so.” Griffith said. “Unfortunately, the political will to do so in Congress has been lacking. It is my hope that I can work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to get serious and act on this critical issue.”

The Homeland Security Appropriations Bill also serves to fund efforts of the Coast Guard, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO).

Source: Congressman Parker Griffith