Press Release: LULAC Opposes DeMint Amendment in the Senate Version of the Homeland Security Appropriations Bill.
September 15, 2009
Contact: Lizette Jenness Olmos (202) 365-4553
Washington, DC – The League of United Latin American Citizens, the
largest and oldest Hispanic civil rights organization in the country,
conveys strong opposition to the DeMint amendment included in the Senate
version of the Homeland Security Appropriations bill, H.R. 2892 which would
require additional several hundred miles of pedestrian fencing along the
southern border costing taxpayers approximately $3 billion.
“Our border security remains a national priority but with our budget
constraints we face, I believe we need to go about appropriating our
resources where they are most needed," said LULAC National President Rosa
Rosales. "The Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano has indicated
that there are more useful ways of using these resources such as in
deploying new surveillance assets, sensors, and tactical infrastructure to
the southern border.”
We strongly recommend that the Senate recede to the House on the DeMint
amendment, eliminating it from the final bill. Should conferees have the
funds available for such a proposal as was approved by the Senate, we
recommend that the money be used to strengthen border security at the
southern ports of entry, where the nation’s needs are most urgent. There is
an investment of $720 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
(ARRA) funds to improve security at land ports of entry, including $260
million for new technology and equipment.
We look forward to working with the Senate and House to reconcile both
appropriations bills.
The League of United Latin American Citizens advances the economic
condition, educational attainment, political influence, housing, health and
civil rights of Hispanic Americans through community-based programs
operating at more than 700 LULAC councils nationwide.
# # #
|