Quick refresher. In response to President Obama’s speech on immigration reform, Lamar Smith released a statement including the following:
“The non-partisan Government Accountability Office has found that only 44% of the border is under the operational control of the Border Patrol, and only 15% is under actual control. Mr. President, 44% is a failing grade. And if 44% is the most secure the border has ever been, it’s time to get to work to improve the grade. The American people expect nothing less than an A+ on border security.”
luridtransom submitted the following inquiry: Please explain what the percentages you cited actually mean, and explain your plan for achieving an “A+” on border security. Also, please tell me the benefits of your A+ Plan versus the status quo. Finally, please tell me how much your A+ Plan costs, and compare that cost to the current cost of border security. List these costs in actual dollar amounts.
Here is Lamar's predictably underwhelming response.
Dear luridtransom,
Many thanks for contacting me regarding Congress' efforts to secure our nation's borders. I appreciate hearing from you.
We agree that every sensible means possible should be used to secure our border, including constructing a border fence. Border security is a matter of national security and national sovereignty.
No nation can survive with unrestricted amounts of immigration and lax border security. Illegal immigration hurts American citizens and legal immigrants who end up paying taxes that go toward health care, education, welfare, and other social costs associated with illegal immigration.
Throughout my tenure in Congress, I have made immigration reform one of my top priorities. I have repeatedly pushed for enforcement of our current immigration laws and have consistently supported legislation aimed at reducing illegal immigration, strengthening our borders, holding individuals who employ illegal immigrants accountable for breaking the law, and reducing the incentives that attract illegal immigrants to the United States.
As Chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary and a member of the Immigration Reform Caucus, I will continue to work to strengthen our border security and continue my efforts to reform our immigration policies for the benefit of American families, workers and taxpayers.
For more information on my work in Congress or to send me an electronic message, feel free to visit the 21st District's website, http://lamarsmith.house.gov.
Sincerely,
Lamar Smith
Member of Congress
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