Congressman Simpson expressed his concern about border security on land managed by the Department of the Interior along the southern border of the United States. The recent death of Arizona rancher Robert Krentz, who was murdered by an illegal alien who entered the country through the San Bernardino Wildlife Refuge, has underscored the importance of border security on federal land.  Simpson, who is Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior and the Environment, sent a letter today to Interior Secretary Ken Salazar expressing his concern about this situation.

“Right now we have serious issues with drug and weapons trafficking across the southern border of the United States, which lead to crime problems in our own country and instability in Mexico, making it imperative we tackle the dangerous and growing problem of border security,” wrote Simpson.  “Keeping drug dealers, human traffickers, and criminals, like the one who murdered Mr. Krentz, out of our country requires the cooperation of multiple federal agencies.”

Most of the federal lands along the southern border are under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management, the National Park Service, and other agencies within the Department of Interior.  Simpson expressed concern over past reports that bureaucratic hurdles and agency regulations have made it difficult for the Border Patrol to carry out its mission, and he questioned Salazar about how these agencies are coordinating with the Department of Homeland Security to address border security issues.

“I have been concerned by past reports that bureaucratic hurdles and agency regulations have made it difficult for the Border Patrol to monitor the border and pursue those who have entered this country illegally,” wrote Simpson.  “I look forward to learning more about the Department’s efforts to secure the borders over which they have jurisdiction.”