It looks like the Congress is finally attempting to reduce illegal immigration by proposing a series of bills aimed at exerting some control over our border with Mexico.
The House just passed the Secure Fence Act of 2006 that authorizes building 700 miles of fencing along the border. The Senate is scheduled to take up the bill (H.R.6061) soon (having just passed the SAFE Port Act to require inspection of foreign cargo containers).
The House is also scheduled to vote on H.R.4830, the Border Tunnel Prevention Act of 2006 which makes it illegal to construct a tunnel under the US-Mexico border. Interestingly, the bill is sponsored by David Dreier (R-CA), who in 2004 survived a surprisingly difficult reelection campaign, made so by John and Ken's political human sacrifice project which was designed to fire a Republican who was weak on illegal immigration. David Dreier was chosen as the sacrifice, and even though he was reelected he may now realize the seriousness of the issue.
H.R.6094, the Community Protection Act of 2006, sponsored by James Sensenbrenner (R-WI), will restore the Department of Homeland Security's authority to detain illegal immigrants for the primary purpose of combating gang activity. Also proposed by Sensenbrenner, H.R.6095, the Immigration Law Enforcement Act will "affirm the inherent authority of State and local law enforcement to assist in the enforcement of immigration laws" so that local law enforcement won't have an excuse for allowing known illegal immigrants to roam freely.
The bills sound good on the surface, so let's see if they actually come up for votes and pass.
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