Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson is a cosponsor of H.R. 2083, the Border Sovereignty and Protection Act. This legislation will strengthen the security along the U.S.-Mexico border to better prevent the smuggling of weapons and narcotics. 

“We live in a global community, but that doesn’t mean we have open borders,” said Simpson. “We must be able to secure our borders for the safety of all Americans. Illegal drugs and weapons have been flooding our nation and we need to do a better job of stopping it. I’m hopeful this bill will allow law enforcement to do what is necessary to keep harmful weapons, narcotics, and smugglers out of our country.”

Currently, almost 5,000 Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agents are prohibited from participating in drug crime investigations. This bill would provide the Department of Homeland Security with legal authority to investigate criminal drug violations under the Controlled Substances Act. The more agents that can handle drug crimes, the more criminals we can prosecute.

Some local and state governments maintain sanctuary policies and prohibit local law enforcement officials from gathering information on an individual’s immigration status.  H.R. 2083 would deny reimbursement for State Criminal Alien Assistance Program to those localities.

“It is also imperative that when we tackle the issue of illegal aliens, we focus our efforts on who are committing heinous crimes in our country first. That is why I’m pleased this bill permits the Secretary of Homeland Security to expeditiously remove criminal aliens,” said Simpson.

H.R. 2083 is under consideration by the House Judiciary Committee and the House Homeland Security Committee.