"There has been considerable discussion in recent months on the need to improve border security. One way to do this is to increase the number of Border Patrol Agents. But it takes significant time to recruit and train new federal law enforcement agents," said Senator Collins. "A more immediate way to improve border security is to activate our existing state, local and tribal law enforcement partners to work side-by-side with federal agents."
Beginning with the last federal election period and through the Presidential inauguration last January, DHS has authorized states to used federal grant dollars for the same purposes outlined in Senator Collins' legislation. According to the Maine Emergency Management Agency, Maine realized the nation's second highest level of participation to assist federal operations during this time, with 22 state, county, local, and tribal agencies involved. Maine's law enforcement professionals assisted the Border Patrol Sector in Houlton with increased patrols, reporting of incidents, and arrests of persons attempting to enter the United States from Canada. A final report on the activities funded by the program showed that more than twelve arrests of persons on government watch lists were made by state and local law enforcement in Maine. DHS has not allowed the use of LETP grant funds for these activities since the inauguration.
"Partnering with state and local law enforcement is a proven and cost effective way to buttress our nation's federal border security efforts," said Senator Collins.
Senator Collins' legislation was approved as an amendment to the Homeland Security Appropriations bill, which the Senate passed last Thursday.
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