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Border Security Conference

Posted: 8:37 pm MST February 3, 2006

"It's absolutely shocking, and a picture speaks a thousand words," said U.S. Representative James Sensenbrenner, (R-Wisconsin).

Sensenbrenner watched quietly as KFOX-TV video showed the events that led up to a border incursion in Hudspeth County on January 31st.

Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, Sensenbrenner goes back to Washington next week where he tells KFOX that he will ask for $100 million to help fund border security.

"It is absolutely imperative that this program be passed by the Senate and signed by President Bush," said Chairman Sensenbrenner.

Among those in Houston on Friday to meet with the Sensenbrenner and other Congressmen, were Sheriff Arvin West from the Hudspeth County Sheriff's Department and Sheriff Leo Samaniego from the El Paso County Sheriff's Office.

Sheriff Samaniego says the $100 million would be crucial to funding Operation Linebacker across the entire Southern border. $34 million would be earmarked strictly for Texas.

"The border, it's pretty bad, you very well know that," Samaniego told KFOX in an exclusive interview. "You've seen some of it and we need help. You know the Border Patrol is not able to control what is happening. We need funding, we need more officers, we need the money to keep them, keep them on the line."

As for Chairman Sensenbrenner, the seriousness of the video tape was not lost on him.

"The situation is going to get worse. What you've shown the people of El Paso in your video is (a situation) that's going to be repeated. And unfortunately if it is repeated time and time again it's only a matter of time before someone gets killed."

KFOX will continue to follow developments during the coming week on kfoxtv.com, The KFOX Morning News, and KFOX News at Nine.

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