Tackling Immigration Reform and National Security

U.S. Congressman John Culberson Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON  D.C.   I am committed to keeping you updated on the latest issues our country is facing in the fight to secure our borders and provide for the national defense. Unfortunately I have some alarming and unsettling news to share. In a recent report by the Department of Homeland Securitys Inspector General (IG) we learned that at least 858 immigrants from special interest countries" - meaning nations that pose a security threat to the United States or who are lax with verification and security protocols - received U.S. citizenship despite having a final deportation order under another identity. You read that right at least 858 immigrants to this country coming from dangerous foreign nations willfully concealed pseudonyms and other identities on their naturalization applications or in testimony before United States Customs and Immigration Services officials and were given legal status in our country. The IGs report reveals a very disturbing story about the holes in our nations immigration system. The report shows that the Department of Homeland Security has yet to digitize the fingerprint records of at least 148000 individuals with final deportation orders or criminal records. That means immigration officials have no complete digital resource to reference when determining who we let in to our country. Until the digitization of fingerprint records is complete 148000 individuals who are supposed to be deported or are otherwise ineligible for citizenship could be naturalized instead. The IGs findings reveal a broken system that puts American lives at risk. The report also identifies immigrants from countries of concern" who were naturalized illegally and have gone on to hold jobs in sensitive national security positions and law enforcement. I cannot sit by knowing that we are allowing America to become less secure. That is why I have drafted legislation to address these problems. My bill will:

1.      Prohibit the U.S. Customs and Immigration Service from naturalizing any immigrant until the remaining paper-based fingerprint cards are digitized. It would also require Homeland Security to re-run the fingerprints of any pending applicants once the paper-based cards are digitized. This action need not unfairly slow down the immigration process. The bill would not prohibit applicants from submitting applications or Homeland Security from reviewing applications. Only the actual naturalization could not take place until the database is digitized.
2.     Require Homeland Security to notify the Department of Justice if Homeland Security has knowledge of any immigrant who was naturalized and had a final deportation order under another identity or otherwise made willful misrepresentations. This would allow the Department of Justice to initiate the revocation of naturalization.3.      Upon notification from Homeland Security require the Department of Justice to revoke naturalization.

I am working tirelessly to reform our broken immigration system and keep America safe for all Americans. Thank you for standing with me as we strive to ensure our countrys future safety and prosperity. http://www.culbersonforcongress.com/