Supports the construction of a date-certain, double fence across the entire US border with Mexico prior to the end of 2013

Today, Van Hipp, Chairman Americans for Securing the Border announced Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann was the first major presidential candidate to sign “The Pledge” to support the construction of a date certain, secure double fence across the entire US border with Mexico prior to the end of 2013.

Chairman Hipp said” US Representative Michele Bachmann is no stranger when it comes to border security. Her commitment to border security has been steadfast.”

Hipp further stated “Congresswoman Bachmann has been on the front line in the fight to secure our borders. Today, she is going the extra mile on this issue by signing “The Pledge” to secure our nation’s border with Mexico.

Hipp thanked Congresswoman Michele Bachmann for her leadership and for having the backbone to be the first major presidential candidate to sign “The Pledge.”

It is our hope that the rest of republican presidential field will join with Congresswoman Bachmann and sign our “Pledge.”

Chairman Hipp concluded” Americans for Securing the Border is dedicated to stopping the flow of illegal immigration and enhancing U.S. security along the US-Mexican border. In the coming months we intend to ask all current Congressman and Senators as well as candidates to sign our Pledge as well.”

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Statement from Van D. Hipp, Jr. Chairman, Americans for Securing the Border

Saturday, October 15th

It’s a real pleasure to be here today in Perry, Iowa. Americans for Securing the Border is a national grass roots citizen’s movement dedicated to stopping the flow of illegal immigration and enhancing US security along the US-Mexican border. As part of our mission, Americans for Securing the Border is calling on all candidates for federal office, President, US Senate, and the US House of Representatives to sign “The Pledge” – a declaration of support for the construction of a date certain, double fence across the entire US border with Mexico prior to the end of 2013. For too long, too many politicians have given only lip service to the war on our border. The rule of law has been ignored, and the Federal Government has been derelict in its duty in defending our borders. As a result, we have had a flood of illegal aliens into our country, as well as violent drug gangs, human traffickers, and potential terrorists. No longer can we afford to ignore the national security and economic consequences of inaction. Americans for Securing the Border believes that “The Pledge” is the best way to hold the politicians’ “feet to the fire” and ensure that a secure double fence is built along our southern border, thereby making America safer.

Securing the US border with Mexico is one of the most important and significant national security issues of our time. Earlier this year, FBI Director Robert Mueller told the U.S. House Homeland Security Committee that illegal aliens from countries with ties to Al Qaeda had crossed into the United States from Mexico. FBI Director Mueller informed us that some of these illegal aliens are people with Middle Eastern names who have adopted Hispanic last names before entering the United States. Just this past year, over 59,000 illegal aliens from countries other than Mexico, were apprehended while trying to enter the United States. These include individuals from countries such as Syria, Iran, Somalia, Yemen, Pakistan, and Sudan. Earlier this year, US border patrol agents captured a radical Muslim cleric attempting to sneak into the United States across the Mexican border. On average, border violence results in some 7000 deaths per year. Further, our own Government Accountability Office (GAO), hardly a bastion of conservatism, now tells us that only 44% of our southwest border is under the “operational control” of the border patrol. Americans for Securing the Border believes that securing the border with Mexico is a national security imperative for the United States.

Securing our border with Mexico is also an economic necessity for the United States. Since our nation’s founding, America has always been the most generous and most compassionate nation on the face of the earth. Whenever someone – a nation or people – is hurting, America has always been there. Today, Americans are hurting like never before. Currently, we have 14 million Americans out of work and another 11 million Americans who are underemployed. We need to make sure that unemployed Americans are first in line when it comes to finding a job and that taxpayer funded resources are going to American citizens. With a 14 trillion dollar national debt, America can no longer afford the costs associated with massive illegal immigration. The strain on our hospitals, our welfare programs, our law enforcement and our schools is not sustainable. A border fence to stop the flow of illegal immigration into the United States is the single biggest step we can take to secure our homeland, make America safer, and make sure that Americans are first in line when it comes to taxpayer funded resources.

Today, Americans for Securing the Border is pleased that the first major presidential candidate has heard our challenge and will sign “The Pledge” to support the construction of a date certain, secure double fence across the entire US border with Mexico prior to the end of 2013. US Representative Michele Bachmann is no stranger when it comes to border security. Her commitment to border security has been steadfast. Congresswoman Bachmann has been on the front line in the fight to secure our borders. Today, she is going the extra mile on this issue by signing “The Pledge” to secure our nation’s border with Mexico. Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, on behalf of Americans for Securing the Border, we want to thank you for your leadership and for having the backbone to be the first major presidential candidate to sign “The Pledge.” You are not just talking the talk, you are walking the walk.

At Americans for Securing the Border, our grass roots organization will be watching and listening to see if the other major presidential candidates follow your lead by signing our pledge to secure our border with Mexico prior to the end of 2013.

Ladies and gentlemen I will now turn over the podium to Congresswoman Bachmann.