Border Security Gap Jeopardizes U.S. Safety

Press Release

Federal agencies are leaving the United States vulnerable to security concerns on thousands of acres of land along the Mexican border by denying the U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) access to federal lands.

The U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) and the U.S. Forest Service often cite environmental concerns as the reason the USBP is forbidden to police federal lands along the border. There is a clear need for security on these lands after an increase in drug violence and the murder of a southern Arizona rancher allegedly killed by an illegal immigrant who likely entered Mexico through the San Bernardino Wildlife Refuge.

Rep. John Boozman (R-AR) is working to correct this oversight by cosponsoring H.R. 5016, legislation that would ensure public land surrounding the border is under the control of the Department of Homeland Security and the USBP.

"This is about protecting our borders and putting security issues in the right hands. Our border patrol agents are on the frontlines every day and have extensive training and access to resources that enable them to secure our country. We need to let the agents do the jobs Congress intended and that means allowing them on all federal lands," Boozman said.

Introduced by Representative Rob Bishop (R-UT), HR. 5016 has been referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Source