Congressman Childers Votes to Enforce Immigration Laws, Protect Homeland Security

October 15, 2009

Washington, DC – Congressman Travis Childers (MS-01) today voted to secure our nation’s borders and ensure our country is prepared for any potential disaster. The Congressman joined a majority of his colleagues in passing the Homeland Security Appropriations Bill, which provides important funding to enforce U.S. immigration laws, protect Americans from terrorist threats and other vulnerabilities, and enable response to and recovery from all hazards.

“It’s essential that we have the resources we need to protect Americans citizens from any possible threat to our national security,” said Congressman Childers. “Today’s legislation makes important investments in strengthening our nation’s security against terrorist threats, as well as our ability to respond to and recover from disasters. I am especially pleased that this bill includes significant measures to enforce U.S. immigration laws in order to protect American jobs and safety.”

The Homeland Security Appropriations Bill includes the following provisions:

Securing Our Borders, Enforcing Immigration Laws

• Invests in Border Security Fencing, Infrastructure, and Technology (BSFIT)
• Fully supports 20,163 Border Patrol agents, an increase of 6,000 (or more than 50 percent) since 2006
• Protects Americans from dangerous criminal aliens by identifying and removing from the U.S. criminal aliens who are either at-large or already incarcerated in prisons or jails once an immigration judge has ordered them deported
• Combats international trade in illicit drugs, weapons smuggling, and crimes associated with violence along the Southwest Border

Disaster Response, Relief, and Recovery

• Funds Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) management and administration, as well as FEMA’s Disaster Relief Account
• Provides planning, equipment, and training for first responders to respond to terrorist attacks and catastrophic incidents
• Funds the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program to help local fire departments address communication, equipment, and staffing problems

Guantanamo Bay Detention Facility

• Prohibits current detainees from being released into the U.S. or any U.S. territory
• Mandates the inclusion of all GTMO detainees on the TSA No Fly List

A pro-gun, pro-life Mississippian, Congressman Travis Childers (D-MS) represents the First Congressional District in North Mississippi. He is a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and serves on the House Agriculture and Financial Services Committee. Congressman Childers co-chairs the reestablished bipartisan Congressional Rural Caucus and was appointed to the bipartisan Second Amendment Task Force. For more information, visit www.childers.house.gov.

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