U.S. Representatives John Culberson and Silvestre Reyes Introduce Border Law Enforcement Act

Today, Representatives John Culberson (R-TX) and Silvestre Reyes (D-TX) introduced H.R. 4360, the Border Law Enforcement Act, which will provide authority and direct federal funding for border county Sheriffs to support Border Patrol agents in securing our Southern border. The bill implements a plan called “Operation Linebacker” proposed by the Texas Border Sheriffs Coalition to form a secondary line of defense to protect the border.

Culberson praised the knowledge and expertise of the bill’s coauthor, Representative Reyes, saying “Congressman Reyes proved as Chief of the McAllen and El Paso sectors of the Border Patrol that criminals and illegal border crossings can be deterred by a highly visible law enforcement presence. Our bill expands on the model he established as Border Patrol Chief with Operation Hold the Line.”

“As a former Border Patrol Sector Chief, I know from experience that local law enforcement officials can help the Border Patrol carry out their important mission,” said Reyes. “This bill will provide them with adequate funding to do so, and as we know from Operation Stonegarden in El Paso, this strategy has already been proven.” El Paso’s Operation Stonegarden enlisted local law enforcement to assist federal law enforcement officials in the fight against narco-terrorism and potential terrorists in 2004.

The bill would authorize $100 million to pay the direct costs of training, equipping and deploying Sheriffs and reserve deputy Sheriffs, as well as overtime costs for these personnel. The bill also allows up to 20 percent of the authorized funds to be used for building detention beds to house illegal aliens who are taken into custody.

Culberson also announced a down payment of $5 million for the Texas Border Sheriffs Coalition that he secured in the conference report for the FY2006 Science, State, Justice, and Commerce Appropriations Bill. “I want to thank Chairman Frank Wolf for providing this critical funding and for his commitment to securing our borders,” Culberson said.

“America needs boots on the ground to protect our Southern border from armed and dangerous criminals, violent gang members, drug smugglers and potential terrorists. We have seen that the best response to emergencies is providing local officials with the resources they need to do the job. Border county Sheriffs have assured me they can have additional men on the ground within 90 days of this bill becoming law, working closely with Border Patrol agents to protect our lives, safety and property,” Culberson added.

The bipartisan bill has been endorsed by the National Sheriffs’ Association, the Sheriffs’ Association of Texas, the Texas Border Sheriffs Coalition, FAIR, NumbersUSA, and 9/11 Families for a Secure America. Representatives Henry Cuellar (D-TX), Henry Bonilla (R-TX), Lamar Smith (R-TX), and Michael McCaul (R-TX) joined 26 Members of Congress as original cosponsors of H.R. 4360.