WASHINGTON   –  U.S. Representative Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) today cited good news and bad news from Washington on the effort to stem illegal immigration to the United States.

“On the one hand, the expansion in the capability of federal agents to identify illegal immigrants already in custody has been a hugely successful step in starting deportation proceedings against those who go on to commit further crimes once they arrive in America.  On the other hand, crucial actions at the border are falling short of what is necessary to stop illegal immigrants at the point of entry,” Emerson said.

The Government Accountability Office on Wednesday told members of Congress that the first 28 miles of “virtual” border fence along the U.S./Mexico border does not work as it should.

“These are problems we have to work diligently to solve, and ensure that the taxpayers are getting what they paid for,” Emerson said.

On the other hand, federal authorities have been reviewing criminal records to identify illegal aliens already incarcerated in the U.S.  Estimates from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement anticipate 200,000 deportation proceedings will be initiated against criminals this year, up from 164,000 between Sept. 30 2006 and Sept. 30, 2007.

“To me, these are the most important people to identify and deport,” Emerson said.  “Not only have these people come to our country illegally, they have continued to flaunt the law once they are here.  These are smugglers, gang members, and worse.  This is an important initiative I am glad the appropriate officials are taking so seriously.”

Emerson has sponsored multiple legislative efforts to enable more local law enforcement officers to cooperate with federal authorities in identifying illegal immigrants in their custody.

Emerson also believes that more personnel should be hired at the Bureau of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, which processes legal applications for visas and naturalization documents.

“It’s important that the time-honored legal immigration process in this country not suffer because of the added attention to enforcement issues,” Emerson added.