DHS Report Shows that 90 Percent of U.S. Borders Are Not 'Effectively Controlled'

DHS Report Shows that 90 Percent of U.S. Borders Are Not 'Effectively
Controlled'

No Plans to Expand Control for FY 2010

WASHINGTON, Oct. 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As the new fiscal year begins,
the Department of Homeland Security's Annual Performance Report indicates that
the department has no plans to increase control of U.S. borders beyond the 894
miles they now claim to have under "effective control." The report reveals
how little control the United States actually has over its land and sea
borders, despite the 9/11 Commission's report citing uncontrolled borders as a
threat to homeland security.

According to DHS's own definition, U.S. borders include 8,607 miles of land
borders with Mexico and Canada and "certain coastal sectors." The 894 miles
now controlled by DHS represent just a little more than 10 percent of
America's borders. Despite that, according to the goals set forth for FY
2010, the department does not intend to bring one additional mile of border
under control during the coming year.

"Discontinuing further expansion of border protection is a dismaying example
of the government's continuing disregard for the security of the nation,"
charged Dan Stein, president of the Federation for American Immigration Reform
(FAIR). "Securing 10 percent of the border leaves 90 percent wide open for
entry by illegal aliens, terrorists, drug cartels and gang leaders."

The DHS Annual Performance Report bolsters the case against the Obama
administration's ill-conceived plans to promote an illegal alien amnesty in
2010, argues FAIR. Both the administration and its congressional allies have
vowed that amnesty would be predicated on having our borders under control.

"Effective control of 10 percent of the border is no mark of success and is
not justification for this administration and congressional leaders to proceed
with a massive illegal alien amnesty. The fact that DHS has no intention of
improving that dismal performance is an example of gross malfeasance," said
Stein.

"The DHS report makes it very clear that another divisive debate about
granting amnesty to millions of illegal aliens must be scrapped." Stein
continued. "The federal government must set meaningful standards for securing
our borders - commensurate with the serious threats we face - and devote the
resources and manpower necessary to keep our nation safe and achieve dramatic
reduction in illegal immigration.

"It's easy to succeed when the bar is set low and you are grading your own
performance. Unfortunately, the threats to the nation are grave and DHS is
woefully unprepared and apparently unwilling to confront them," concluded
Stein.

About FAIR
Founded in 1979, FAIR is the country's largest immigration reform group. With
over 250,000 members nationwide, FAIR fights for immigration policies that
serve national interests, not special interests. FAIR believes that
immigration reform must enhance national security, improve the economy,
protect jobs, preserve our environment, and establish a rule of law that is
recognized and enforced.

SOURCE Federation for American Immigration Reform

Ira Mehlman, +1-206-420-7733 or Bob Dane, +1-202-328-7004, both of FAIR