President Bush’s recent overtures in support of increased security at our borders come in stark contrast to his Administration’s five-year record of consistent neglect of border security. On his watch, apprehensions of undocumented immigrants have dropped by 30 percent. We have gone from apprehending 1.7 million individuals illegally crossing our borders each year between 1996 and 2000, to just over 1 million today.
The responsibility for the lack of adequate security at our nation’s borders falls squarely on President Bush and the Republican-controlled Congress. Bush Republicans repeatedly have blocked legislative initiatives to hire and train additional border patrol agents, underfunded security measures authorized by the 9/11 Act, and failed to make critical border security programs a priority.
Our borders remain dangerously insecure and leave America vulnerable to terrorist attack. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report in March that detailed how two federal investigators were able to smuggle enough nuclear material to make two dirty bombs across our northern and southern borders. The report stated that GAO investigators “transported radioactive sources across both borders…with ease,” highlighting the dangerous gaps in security that exist at our borders. (GAO, 3/28/06)
Bush Republicans underfund border security measures called for in the 9/11 Act. The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (PL 108-458), also known as the 9/11 Act, includes several key provisions for enhancing border security. In his Fiscal Year 2006 and Fiscal Year 2007 budget requests (the two submitted since the bill’s passage), President Bush has refused to provide sufficient funds to hire the authorized number of border patrol and immigration enforcement agents. His budget proposals also have fallen short on allocations for additional detention beds.
Border patrol agents. The 9/11 Act authorized the hiring of an additional 2,000 border patrol agents over each of the next five years (2006-2010). And yet, for Fiscal Year 2006, the Republican-led Congress funded only 1,000 additional agents – just half of the agents authorized. This trend continues in next year’s budget as well, which provides funding for 1,500 border patrol agents, or 500 less than the number authorized.
Immigration enforcement agents. The 9/11 Act also mandated an additional 800 immigration enforcement agents over each of the next five years. For Fiscal Year 2006, Bush Republicans funded only 350 additional agents. And again, in next year’s budget, the Administration funds 85 fewer agents than authorized.
Detention beds. The 9/11 Act authorized new facilities to hold an additional 8,000 individuals detained for illegally crossing our border over each of the next five years. In Fiscal Year 2006, the Republican Congress funded only 1,800 additional detention beds. The President’s Fiscal Year 2007 budget again falls short: it funds 1,300 fewer beds than authorized by the 9/11 Act.
Still no terrorist watchlist. The 9/11 Commission called upon the President to work with other countries to develop a terrorist watch list that our Border Patrol officials could use to help secure our borders. Unfortunately, this was not made a priority. In the 9/11 Commission’s December 2005 report card, Bush Republicans received a “D” on international collaboration on border security. The Commission points out that there has been “no systematic diplomatic effort” to work with other countries on shared terrorist watchlists – to ensure terrorists cannot get across our borders.
Comprehensive radiation screening system still not in place. Bush Republicans have failed to deploy effective technology capable of detecting attempts by terrorists to transport weapons of mass destruction across U.S. land borders. (Democratic Staff of the House Committee on Homeland Security, Annual Report Card, 2/06)
Since 9/11, Bush Republicans have opposed Democratic amendments and legislative initiatives that would have provided an additional $3.4 billion in border security funds. Had these measures been supported, perhaps President Bush would not need to call the National Guard – a force already stretched thin – to secure our borders. (Senate Appropriations Committee, Democratic Staff)
November 14, 2001: On a Budget Act point of order, funding was blocked that included $1.1 billion for border security. The White House opposed the funding, asserting that it would “expand the size of government.”
August 13, 2002: The President vetoed $2.5 billion of emergency spending contained in the Fiscal Year 2002 Supplemental Appropriations Act for homeland security, including $395 million for border security. The President said, “I made my opposition clear…We’ll spend none of it.”
January 16, 2003: Senate Republicans defeated a Byrd amendment to the Fiscal Year 2003 Omnibus bill that included $1 billion for border security. The White House called it “extraneous” spending.
April 3, 2003: Senate Republicans tabled a Byrd/Hollings amendment that included $160 million for border security.
July 22, 2003: Senate Republicans defeated a Byrd amendment to the Fiscal Year 2004 Homeland Security Appropriations bill that included $238 million for border security.
September 17, 2003: On a party line vote, Republicans defeated a Byrd motion in conference on the Fiscal Year 2004 Homeland Security Appropriations bill to add $125 million for border security.
September 9, 2004: Senate Republicans defeated a Byrd amendment to the Fiscal Year 2005 Homeland Security Appropriations bill to add $111 million for border security.
October 7, 2004: On a party line vote, Republicans defeated a Byrd/Obey/Sabo motion in conference on the Fiscal Year 2005 Homeland Security Appropriations bill to add $200 million for border security.
April 2005: The Bush Administration opposed the Byrd/Craig amendment to the Fiscal Year 2005 Supplemental Appropriations bill to add $389 million for border security. Fortunately, the amendment was approved and subsequently (despite Administration opposition), the conferees approved $274 million. As a result, there are now 500 more border patrol agents, 218 more immigration agents and investigators and 1,950 more detention beds in place, helping to secure our borders.
September 29, 2005: On a party line vote, Republicans defeated an Obey/Byrd/Sabo motion in conference on the Fiscal Year 2006 Homeland Security Appropriations bill to add $100 million for border security.