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 News from Around the Americas | July 2007 
Increase in Border Patrol Agents Approved
 BYLINE
Washington - The Senate voted overwhelmingly last week to spend $3 billion over the next five years to hire thousands of new border patrol agents and expand technological surveillance of the nation's borders.
The money would be included in a homeland security spending bill, which the Senate approved after failing last month to pass comprehensive immigration reform.
The 89-1 vote to beef up border patrol underscored the lingering prominence of immigration as an issue that galvanizes American voters.
Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio, was the only senator to oppose the border security spending increase, citing his reluctance "to burden our children and grandchildren with another $3 billion of debt."
Sens. Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor, both D-Ark., voted to increase spending on border security.
House Backs Immigration Crackdown
The House also weighed in on immigration when it agreed by voice vote to prohibit the spending of federal funds to jail two border patrol agents convicted of shooting a Mexican drug dealer.
Last October, the two agents, Ignacio Ramos and Jose Alonso Compean, were sentenced to 11 and 12 years, respectively, for shooting Osvaldo Aldrete-Davila as he escaped to Mexico and survived his wounds.
The House also voted 388-39 for an amendment by Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., to add $55 million to a Justice Department program that compensates towns and cities for incarcerating criminals who are illegal immigrants.
Reps. John Boozman, R-Rogers; Mike Ross, D-Prescott; and Vic Snyder, D-Little Rock, voted for the Lofgren amendment.
Rep. Marion Berry, D-Gillett, voted against it.
Violence Against Women Addressed
The immigration issue also played a role in a 221-195 vote by the House to transfer $10 million from the Census Bureau to a Justice Department program to prevent violence against women.
Advocates of the transfer said it would aid immigrant women who are destitute because their immigrant husbands have abused or abandoned them.
Berry, Boozman and Ross voted for the transfer.
Snyder voted against it. |
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