Homeland Security chief vows to win control of borders

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff on Tuesday described the struggle to control the nation's borders as a war, while House lawmakers worked behind the scenes to free millions of dollars for local law enforcement in the Southwest.

Chertoff told reporters that the government is making progress on stemming illegal activity along the southern border, but smugglers are shifting their strategies to more porous areas.

"We have not reached the point where we can declare victory," Chertoff said. "We're going to put more resources down there; we're going to work with local law enforcement and give them more help. We are not going to lose this war against illegal traffickers."

Meanwhile, a bipartisan group of House lawmakers has asked Chertoff to immediately send more money to sheriffs along the southwest border to help them cover costs related to border security.

"Whatever money is available, we've got to expedite that as soon as possible," said Henry Cuellar, a Texas Democrat on the Homeland Security Committee. Cuellar said he is working with Reps. John Culberson, R-Texas, and Ciro Rodriguez, D-Texas, on a bill that would authorize $100 million for local law enforcement.

He said the bill will be filed as early as this week, and will be debated by the Homeland Security Committee. In the short term, however, the lawmakers are pressing the Homeland Security Department to find "several million dollars" that can be sent now.

"[The department] said that any money that's on the table right now ... they will work with us to try to expedite it as soon as possible down to local law enforcement," Cuellar said. "We're going to push them real hard."

Cuellar added that the House Homeland Security Border Subcommittee plans to debate a major border security bill in May. "We're trying to find not only the long-term solution but also the short-term solutions," he said.

Chertoff and Cuellar both emphasized, however, that border security depends on Congress passing a bill on immigration reform with a temporary guest-worker program. Cuellar said the House Hispanic Caucus plans to meet with President Bush on Wednesday to ask for help in passing an immigration bill.

"We want the president to look at comprehensive immigration reform, and we're going to try to get him to help us get as many Republicans on board as we can because we can't pass it with just Democrats," Cuellar said.

Some Republicans have refused to support such a bill because they believe it would give amnesty to millions of illegal immigrants. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, said lawmakers are having "constructive discussions" on a bill but have yet to reach any agreements.

"No one is going to get 100 percent of what they want," he added. "What I do want is a workable system that can be enforced." Chertoff said he is "hopeful" that Congress will clear a bill soon.