"We have a clear opportunity to make America safer and more secure for our children"

Hudson NY - Kirsten Gillibrand, Democratic Congressional Candidate, released a statement in support of The Secure Fence Act before Congress today, but noted it should have additional measures for employer enforcement.

"I support protecting our borders, but our solution must include more measures to ensure employer enforcement with regards to illegal immigration, building a wall or a fence alone is simply not enough. In conjunction with solutions taken on the ground at our borders, we must enforce the employment laws that are currently being ignored by companies who profit from hiring illegal immigrants. The urgency of dealing with our borders should not be held hostage by election year legislation and this summer's field hearings; securing our borders must be a national security priority. Threats at our borders need serious solutions from Washington and we have yet to see John Sweeney and Congressional leadership take the lead on improving our border security. Under the Bush Administration, the number of illegal immigrants apprehended at our border is down 31%. This is not solely an immigration question; improving our border security is imperative in keeping America safe."

When elected, Gillibrand will improve points of entry security by:

• Supporting amendments to enhance border security resources allowing for more Border Patrol and Immigration agents protecting our borders to catch illegal immigrants, human traffickers and drug smugglers.
• Enforcing employment laws.
• Opposing federal requirements mandating passports at Canadian border crossings. An identification card is easier and more cost efficient to use than a passport, and is less of a barrier to area tourism and economic prosperity than a passport. Measures to prevent the usage of counterfeit identification must be increased.
• Allocating more funds to screen more effectively and efficiently at all ports of entry and increase aviation and port security resources nation wide.
• Increasing funding for first responders so they may be able to have the resources necessary to be first preventers.
• Fighting for New York State's fair share of anti-terrorism funds. Last May, the Department of Homeland Security announced that New York State will receive a 40% reduction in anti-terrorism funding.