Monday, February 22, 2010
Congressman
Murphy Introduces Secure Borders Act 2010
· Legislation Would Increase Penalty for Corrupt Federal Agents Who Violate Immigration Law
(Washington, D.C., Feb. 9) – Congressman Patrick
Murphy (D-8th District) has introduced the Secure Borders Act of 2010, legislation that would mandate stiffer penalties for
federal agents who are found guilty of smuggling illegal aliens into the U.S. While the majority of our federal agents put
their lives on the line every day to protect our country, there are a handful that knowingly undermine these efforts by helping
to smuggle illegal aliens across the border. Murphy’s bill would sentence these lawbreakers to harsher prison terms.
The legislation amends section 274(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act to increase the penalty to 20 years in federal
prison for federal law enforcement officials and members of the Coast Guard who smuggle aliens.
“Stopping illegal immigration and enhancing our
border security is a national security imperative. Every day, brave border agents and customs officials are on the front lines
battling our illegal immigration crisis, but a select few are working against our national interest and smuggling illegal
aliens, and even potential terrorists, into our country,” said Rep. Murphy. “My legislation would crack down on
these offenders, eliminate this weak link in our system, and provide one more tool in stopping the illegal immigration crisis
in our country.”
The Secure Borders Act of 2010 addresses a problem
that has drawn recent scrutiny – U.S. border agents aiding smugglers in transporting illegal immigrants and drugs across
our borders in exchange for bribes. These agents often know the penalties associated with their crimes, but do not consider
them to be a deterrent:
· Customs Inspector
Luis Alarid, who helped trucks full of illegal immigrants and drugs pass across the border, told investigators he had looked
into how much prison time he could be sentenced for his actions and felt he could do it “standing on his head.”
He received 7 years in jail.
· Michael Gilliland,
a 16-year veteran of U.S. Border Patrol, received just 5 years in federal prison for letting hundreds of illegal immigrants
pass through his border check point. Edward Archuleta, a coworker who eventually helped convict him, told reporters Gilliland
“knew the laws backwards and forwards.”
· Richard Elizalda,
a customs inspector at the San Ysidro Port of Entry- the world’s busiest border crossing point- was sentenced to 57
months in prison for letting carloads of illegal aliens through his lane at least 24 times over the course of 2 years.
· Eric Balderas,
a Border Patrol agent in El Cajon Station, California, was sentenced to just 2 years in prison after pleading guilty to bringing
in more than 100 illegal immigrants through his patrol area.
“The stories of these officials blatantly breaking
the law are very disturbing, and what’s even more offensive is the short jail time they receive once convicted,”
Murphy added. “This small group of brazen criminals swore to protect our borders and instead broke our laws, and they
should be given far harsher federal prison sentences for betraying their oath and weakening our national security.”
——————————
H. R. 4622: To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide for enhanced penalties
for certain Federal officials who are alien smugglers, and for other purposes (USGPO)
"Patrick Murphy Introduces Secure Borders Act of 2010," Congressman Patrick Murphy (Democrat-Pennsylvania), February 9, 2010
