Bob Dole: “the underlying bill provides over $51 million for training to support implementation of 287(g) agreements. My amendment…”

“the underlying bill provides over $51 million for training to support implementation of 287(g) agreements. My amendment would make an additional $75 million available for this purpose by providing that a portion of the $294 million already appropriated under the bill for general State and local training grants be used specifically for 287(g) training. Mr. President, in recent months, I have heard from local law enforcement officials from every corner of my home State of North Carolina who, frankly, have had it. They are fed up. They are fed up because they are powerless to bring justice to illegal aliens who are committing crimes, such as drinking and driving and gang-related activity. They are fed up that Federal agents lack the manpower to help them process these criminals. They are fed up with the catch and release of dangerous individuals. Local law enforcement officers are fed up that when they try to solve these serious problems--that is, they seek authority under a program called 287(g) to process illegal aliens who committed crimes--they are put through the bureaucratic ringer and often turned away. Why would the Department of Homeland Security deny our local law enforcement agencies the tools that are readily available to them under current law that would help address major challenges in their communities? Most simply, the answer is funding.…”