[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 218 Introduced in House (IH)]







110th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 218

 Expressing the sense of Congress regarding United States immigration 
                       and border security laws.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 24, 2007

   Mr. Barrett of South Carolina submitted the following concurrent 
 resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, 
 and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be 
subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration 
  of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee 
                               concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
 Expressing the sense of Congress regarding United States immigration 
                       and border security laws.

Whereas, since 1996, Congress has passed and the Executive Branch has enacted 
        several laws related to border security and immigration reform;
Whereas many of these laws have required substantial increases to employ more 
        Border Patrol agents, including the objective of having 18,000 Border 
        Patrol agents on payroll by the end of December 2008;
Whereas increasing the number of Border Patrol agents will not only reduce the 
        number of illegal crossings at the border but will also enhance United 
        States national security;
Whereas strengthening United States national security includes constructing and 
        complying with the Secure Fence Act of 2006, by building 850 miles of 
        fencing along the southern border with Mexico;
Whereas the Secretary of Homeland Security is required to submit to Congress a 
        report by October 26, 2007, on the progress made toward achieving and 
        maintaining operational control over the international border;
Whereas the program authorized under section 287(g) of the Immigration and 
        Nationality Act provides the legal authority for State and local law 
        enforcement to investigate, detain, and arrest aliens who have violated 
        existing United States law; and
Whereas greater participation in the section 287(g) program will help clarify 
        the distinction between Federal responsibility and local responsibility: 
        Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That it is the Sense of the Congress that--
            (1) Congress should verify that current immigration and 
        border security laws are enforced;
            (2) the Secretary of Homeland Security should ensure that 
        construction of the border fence is expedited and use existing 
        authority provided in the REAL ID Act to waive any legal 
        requirements needed for construction of such border fencing;
            (3) the report required by the Secretary should include 
        recommendations that would enhance United States national 
        security on the northern border and emphasize the 
        Administration's commitment to protecting both the southern and 
        northern borders with Mexico and Canada;
            (4) Congress and the Administration should expand the 
        program authorized under section 287(g) of the Immigration and 
        Nationality Act, including by providing the appropriate funds 
        and flexibility for State and local governments to use;
            (5) construction of the fence along the southern border 
        should not be delayed;
            (6) Congress should fully fund the 18,000 Border Patrol 
        agents as authorized under current law; and
            (7) State and law enforcement should be provided the 
        necessary resources to prosecute those individuals who 
        disregard United States immigration laws.
                                 <all>