Graham and Napolitano Debate Border Security at Senate Hearing

During a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing yesterday, Sen. Lindsey Graham, who is the lone Republican working on an Amnesty bill, and DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano debated the nation’s efforts to secure the Southwest border. Sen. Graham said there can’t be a mass amnesty bill until the borders are completely secured.“If immigration comes up this year, it will be absolutely devastating to this issue” Sen Graham said during yesterday’s hearing. “Most Americans think we will have lost our minds if we move forward without securing our border first.”Sec. Napolitano, however, believes the U.S.-Mexican border is secure and the numbers prove it. During an interview with FOX News White House Corespondent Major Garrett over the weekend, Napolitano said she believes there is a perception problem among Americans who don’t believe the border is secure. During her Congressional testimony on Tuesday, she said that she has firsthand evidence that the border is secure.“I say this again, as someone who has walked that border, ridden it, flown it and driven it,” Napolitano said. “I believe it is as secure as it ever has been.”Ranking Member of the Judiciary Committee Sen. Jeff Sessions said it’s more than just the border. He said all immigration laws need to be enforced to get the message out to individuals looking to come to the United States illegally.“We need to make sure the world knows that our border is no longer open,” Sen. Sessions said. “If you come here illegally and get by, you will not be able to be employed … it’s a lose-lose game for you.” Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid gave Senators Chuck Schumer and Graham a three-week ultimatum to get an Amnesty bill written. He’s softened on the issue a bit, but told reporters yesterday that there’s still time to get both immigration and energy reform bills done this year.”Others may have given up on immigration reform,” Reid said. “I haven’t.”Sen. Graham said he thinks, if done right, immigration reform can be done by 2012.“I believe we can do it by 2012 if we’re smart and address the big elephant in the room — the borders are not secure and there’s a [drug] war going on,” Sen. Graham said.For more information, see The Hill.