Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Allyson Schwartz applauded the House of Representatives for unanimously supporting legislation yesterday to strengthen border security and reduce violence along the Southwest Border. The Supplemental Appropriations for Border Security bill provides $500 million to the Department of Homeland Security to strengthen border security and $201 million to the Department of Justice to crack down on violence and crime at the border. 

 “With an increase in violence, drug smuggling and weapon smuggling due to Mexican drug cartels along the southwest border,  we must do everything we can to keep our borders safe and secure and prevent illegal immigration,” Schwartz said. “This bill addresses the threat of increased violence by increasing our border patrol agents, and strengthening enforcement efforts to stem illegal immigration.”

The bill provides 1,200 additional Border Patrol agents deployed between the ports of entry along the Southwest Border. Since 2006, Democrats in Congress have increased the number of Border Patrol agents at the southwest border by 6,000, or by more than 50 percent. With passage of this bill, the increase will be an additional 7,200 agents or an increase of 65 percent. Schwartz has been outspoken about the need to ensure that the Border Patrol has the resources it needs to combat illegal immigration.  

####