House Approves Border Security Funding
By
KGNS News
Story Created:
Aug 10, 2010
Story Updated:
Aug 11, 2010
More than half a billion dollars could soon be headed to the U.S./Mexico border.
"This will help us fight the border violence that we've seen,” said Congressman Henry Cuellar.
As the drug war continues across the border, officials on this side are working around the clock to help secure the U.S./Mexico border.
"People in Washington are finally understanding that we have a serious problem across the river,” Cuellar added.
Tuesday the U.S. House of Representatives passed a $600 million emergency border security bill, which among other things would provide funding for 1,500 new law enforcement agents.
“That means the Laredo area will get more Border Patrol, more ICE agents, more ATF, more FBI and other folks to the border,” said Cuellar.
Cuellar who is an original co-sponsor of the legislation gave us a breakdown on how they would like the money to be used.
-Some of the funding includes around $300 million for U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
-The Department of Justice would receive nearly $200 million for prosecutors and federal agents.
-About $80 million would be for Immigration and Customs Enforcement for new ICE personnel and border interdiction.
-A total of $176 million would go towards the hiring of 1,000 new Border Patrol agents to form a "strike force."
Though a large number of federal agents would be stationed along the southwest border, some are scheduled to help deter the violence in Mexico.
"Agents are actually going to be sent into Mexico so we can go after those folks directly,” Cuellar said.
This is a plan which many in Washington and in the Gateway City hope will make the Laredo border more secure as the drug war rages in our Sister City.
The bill also includes funding for unmanned aerial vehicles and other communications equipment to help improve tactical communications.
The bill now moves to the Senate for approval.
More Good Stuff
