U.S. Congress passes bill funding border security

The U.S. Senate on Thursday passed a bill giving 600 million dollars to enhance border security in the southwestern states bordering Mexico.

President Barack Obama said the measure answers his call to bolster the work of federal law enforcement officials.

The Senate passed the bill in a special session with a voice vote. It has come back from the recess to consider the bill. The House of Representatives passed it in a special session earlier.

The measure would provide supplemental funds for enhanced border protection and law enforcement activities. With it, authorities would be able to hire 1,000 new border patrol agents, 250 more Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, and 250 more Customs and Border Protection officers.

It also provides new communications equipment and greater use of unmanned surveillance drones. Part of the money would go to the Justice Department to help law enforcement agencies deal with drug dealers and human traffickers.

In a statement, Obama said the resources made available through the legislation will build upon past efforts to protect communities along the Southwest border and across the country.

U.S. media commented the measure signals a new determination to stem the flow of illegal immigrants. Illegal immigration is a hot- button topic in the United States. Since a tough immigration law of the southwestern state Arizona sparked a national debate, the federal government has been acting more swiftly in shoring up border security.

Source: Xinhua