Tuesday, March 29, 2011

The 'Border Security First' Argument: A red herring undermining real security

Policy fails to articulate a clear, realistic standard of border security.
By Marshall Fitz , Angela Maria Kelley and Ann Garcia
(Click here to read the full report)

WASHINGTON, D.C.The Center for American Progress is releasing the report “The 'Border Security First’ Argument: A Red Herring Undermining Real Security” in the wake of numerous border-focused hearings in the House of Representatives, draft legislation requiring a five-year operational border control plan from the Department of Homeland Security within 180 days, and calls for a limited, border-security-only agenda.

This report considers the term “operational control,” examines demands for “border security first,” outlines the strides made by the Department of Homeland Security under both President George W. Bush and President Barack Obama, and calls for political courage to create a legal system whereby undocumented immigrants would register, pay taxes, and earn status.

The report dissects the flawed arguments that continue to delay the comprehensive immigration reform a majority of Americans repeatedly call for. The arguments made in support of a border-security-only policy fail to articulate a clear, realistic standard of border security and fail to acknowledge evidence that the Department of Homeland Security, or DHS, met and exceeded stringent enforcement benchmarks that “border security first” supporters laid out in legislation introduced in the 110th Congress.

Many “border security first” proponents argue that we can only implement reforms to our immigration laws after specific enforcement benchmarks are met. This report contends that, based on the reform legislation introduced in the 110th Congress by this same group of lawmakers, DHS has reached the high standards laid out in the bill over the last four years—enhancing operational control of the border, increasing border control staff, strengthening border barriers, ending the practice of "catch and release," and establishing workplace enforcement tools used in identifying and preventing undocumented workers from gaining employment in the United States.

The tangible results of these specific reforms include:
  • Today there are 21,370 Border Patrol agents and over 20,600 Customs and Border Protection officers at ports of entry — the highest number of agents and officers in our nation’s history.
  • DHS completed construction of 299 miles of vehicle barriers and 350 miles of pedestrian barriers in fiscal year 2010, totaling approximately 649 miles out of 652 planned miles of fencing along the southwest border—the most barriers and fencing ever located along the border.
  • Approximately 99 percent of unlawful border crossers apprehended from countries other than Mexico are now detained.
  • Immigration and Customs Enforcement initiated 5,371 financial investigations of employers in FY 2010, which led to 1,811 arrests, 778 convictions, and $309.8 million in monetary and nonmonetary seizures. ICE also conducted 2,196 Form I-9 inspections in FY 2010 that resulted in 196 arrests and $42.9 million in civil fines, forfeitures, and restitutions—all record-breaking levels.
Our borders are more fortified with infrastructure and personnel than ever before, and we now spend $17 billion a year on immigration and border enforcement. “Border security first” proponents are standing in the way of more substantial border security by blocking enactment of additional layers of control that would restore the rule of law by funneling migrants into a legal system and requiring them to register, pay taxes, and earn status. The administration’s commitment to border security and robust enforcement is indisputable, but large-scale systemic dysfunction will persist until Congress tackles broader immigration reforms.  (Click here to read the full report)


1 comment:

  1. SB 1070 is in Cryogenics Death in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals - 9th Circuit heard the case five months ago but has yet to rule - Russell Pearce sat in the front row of Bolton's court and looked extremely displeased


    KPHO.COM News
    SB 1070 Case To Be Put On Hold
    'Informal Stay' Granted Today In U.S. District Court
    Pat McReynolds
    Anchor/Reporter, KPHO CBS 5 News
    April 1, 2011


    http://www.kpho.com/news/27401363/detail.html


    Some excerpts :

    PHOENIX -- U.S. District Judge Susan Bolten heard arguments Friday as to whether she should allow the state legislature to join the defense of SB 1070, Arizona's recently passed immigration enforcement law.

    Senate President Russell Pearce sat in the front row and looked displeased with the back and forth. The attorney representing Pearce and the rest of the Legislature argued that because the Legislature authored SB 1070, it would offer unique insight in the case.

    But judge Bolten didn't seem convinced. She asked what another lawyer could possibly offer that attorneys for the governor and the Arizona attorney general aren't already providing. In the end, she agreed to take the matter under advisement.

    But Bolten also called for a stay on all action for the main arguments in the case until the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals rules on the constitutionality of Arizona's immigration enforcement law. The 9th Circuit heard the case five months ago but has yet to rule.
    .

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