Perry Campaign Press Release - Rick Perry's Strong Record on Border Security

As Texas Governor, Rick Perry has taken unprecedented steps to secure the Texas-Mexico border and produced results.

Texas has provided $400 million in border security and law enforcement funding since 2005 to help fill the gap left by the federal government ($152 million in 2011; $121.5 million in 2009; $110.3 million in 2007, and $29.8 million through grant funds in 2005-2006). [1]

In August 2009, Texas expanded its border security efforts by sending highly skilled Ranger Reconnaissance (Ranger Recon) teams to address the ever-evolving threat along the Texas-Mexico border. [2]

Gov. Perry's border security initiatives have helped stem illegal activity along the border, resulting in the seizure of 6.8 million pounds of marijuana; 82,353 pounds of cocaine; 1,835 pounds of heroin; and 7,552 pounds of methamphetamine which has an estimated value of more than $6.5 billion. In addition, officers have seized $227 million in currency and more than 3,500 illegal weapons. [3]

Gov. Perry has made repeated requests to the White House and Congress for thousands more National Guard and Border Patrol troops, strategic fencing and Predator drones to monitor the U.S. Mexico border and provide real-time intelligence to law enforcement. [4]

Texas joined with several other states in opposing the federal lawsuit against Arizona's immigration enforcement policy. [5]

As Governor, Rick Perry has also:

• Championed a Voter ID law that ensures only American citizens will be able to vote in elections [6]

• Signed into law a requirement that only citizens and legal residents may obtain a driver's license [7]

• Declared legislation outlawing "sanctuary cities" an emergency item in Texas, and added it to the call of the 2011 special session [8]

• Signed into law tougher penalties for those who engage in human trafficking [9]

• Signed a law that requires counties to assist the state in tracking the number of illegal immigrants in Texas county jails [10]

• Protected a Texas law that prevents any public agency, taxing jurisdiction or economic development corporation from receiving public subsidies if they have been found to have hired undocumented workers [11]

Sourcing:

[1] Border funding:

2005-2006: border security grants, http://www.governor.state.tx.us/news/press-release/2558/, http://governor.state.tx.us/news/press-release/2500/, http://governor.state.tx.us/news/press-release/4909/

2007: 2008-09 budget, http://www.lbb.state.tx.us/Bill_80/8_FSU/80-8_FSU_1007.pdf

2009: 2010-11 budget, http://www.lbb.state.tx.us/Bill_81/6_FSU/Bill-81-6_FSU_0909.pdf

2011: 2012-13 budget, http://www.lbb.state.tx.us/Bill_82/4_Conference/prtHB1_Conference_2011_S...

S.B. 2 (special session), http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/821/billtext/pdf/SB00002F.pdf#navpa...

[2] "Gov. Perry Announces Highly Skilled Ranger Recon Teams as Texas' Latest Efforts to Enhance Border Security," 9/10/09, http://governor.state.tx.us/news/press-release/13577/

[3] Letter from Texas Department of Public Safety Director to Transportation and Homeland Security Committee Chairman, 8/3/11, http://www.scribd.com/doc/69197832/DPS-Director-Letter-August-2011

[4] Letter from Gov. Perry to President Obama, 8/9/10, http://governor.state.tx.us/files/press-office/080910_PerryObamaletter.pdf; "Gov. Perry: Warning Signs Along Border Must be Heeded by Washington," 8/9/10, http://governor.state.tx.us/news/press-release/14989/; "Statement by Gov. Perry Regarding the Obama Administration's National Guard Deployment Plan for the Southwest Border," 6/8/10, http://governor.state.tx.us/news/press-release/14812/; "Statement by Gov. Rick Perry on Bullets from Juarez Striking El Paso Building," 8/23/10, http://governor.state.tx.us/news/press-release/15039/

[5] "Statement by Gov. Rick Perry on Immigration and Border Security," 4/29/10, http://governor.state.tx.us/news/press-release/14574/

[6] S.B. 14, 2011, http://www.legis.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=82R&Bill=SB14

[7] Amendment 132 to S.B. 1, 2011, http://www.legis.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=821&Bill=SB1

[8] "Gov. Perry Adds Sanctuary Cities to Special Session Call," 6/7/11, http://governor.state.tx.us/news/press-release/16250/

[9] "Gov. Perry: Human Trafficking Legislation Speaks for the Voiceless," 5/25/11,

http://www.governor.state.tx.us/news/press-release/16172/

[10] S.B. 1698, 2011, http://www.legis.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=82R&Bill=SB...

[11] H.B. 1196, 2007, http://www.legis.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=80R&Bill=HB...