Necessary Components to a Real Immigration Solution
Published: 01-28-08
Published: 01-28-08
As we begin the 2nd Session of the 110th Congress I remain hopeful that the Democrat leadership will take up immigration reform as a top priority. Despite the fact that Republicans have continuously pressured Speaker Nancy Pelosi to address illegal immigration we have seen no action and the likelihood that Democrat leadership will move forward with the issue is uncertain. With that said it is important to have a comprehensive plan that addresses all aspects of illegal immigration including protecting Americans and keeping the country secure. I want to take this opportunity to outline my priorities for immigration policy this year. An effective immigration plan must be thorough principled and straightforward. Most importantly it must be in the best interest of American citizens and contain no pathway to citizenship.
Securing the Border
The Sessions Immigration Plan puts securing our border as the top priority. This includes completing work on a 700 mile double-layered fence as outlined in the Secure Fence Act of 2006 and maintaining operational control of the border.
The Sessions Immigration Plan puts securing our border as the top priority. This includes completing work on a 700 mile double-layered fence as outlined in the Secure Fence Act of 2006 and maintaining operational control of the border.
It is critical that we stop the influx of people before we move forward with a way to address the 12 million illegal immigrants who are here. If we fail to do so the number of illegal immigrants will continue to grow. Securing the border also means combating drug and human trafficking and giving local law enforcement and border sheriffs the resources they need to enforce federal immigration laws.
Document the Estimated 12 Million Illegal Immigrants
The second step in the Sessions Immigration Plan is documenting the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants in the country. Although these people have broken the law by entering the country it is simply neither feasible nor economically practical to arrest and deport them all. Instead the government must use a strategic graduated process to identify and document them as efficiently and as timely as possible.
The second step in the Sessions Immigration Plan is documenting the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants in the country. Although these people have broken the law by entering the country it is simply neither feasible nor economically practical to arrest and deport them all. Instead the government must use a strategic graduated process to identify and document them as efficiently and as timely as possible.
This will require incentives for compliance and penalties for non-compliance. Once their identity and information has been collected it must be accessible and searchable in a web-based database. Illegal immigrants who have committed crimes must be accountable for their actions and not be eligible for legal status in the United States.
Strengthening Interior Enforcement
Immigration reform must prioritize following the rule of law and a key component of this is strengthening interior enforcement. This includes implementing the exit portion of US-VISIT so that we can account for those who have overstayed their visas.
Immigration reform must prioritize following the rule of law and a key component of this is strengthening interior enforcement. This includes implementing the exit portion of US-VISIT so that we can account for those who have overstayed their visas.
Those who fail to come forward documentation should be penalized for unlawful presence in the United States. Immigration reform must strengthen the Criminal Alien Program and deport illegal immigrants who have committed crimes—including membership in an alien gang organization.
Establish a True Guest Worker Program
Employers including many small business owners have made it clear that they depend on seasonal and guest workers. Establishing a true guest worker program is the next step in comprehensive immigration reform. Many of the 12 million illegal immigrants have come to the United States for jobs not citizenship.
Employers including many small business owners have made it clear that they depend on seasonal and guest workers. Establishing a true guest worker program is the next step in comprehensive immigration reform. Many of the 12 million illegal immigrants have come to the United States for jobs not citizenship.
A guest worker program would grant authorization to work for a defined period of time without the prospect of citizenship. It would also provide for market-based caps on the number of workers tamperproof identification cards with biometric data background checks and authorization for workers to verify status before hiring. If a guest worker leaves his job he must return to his home country or prove that he has a new job.
Employers would also be responsible to notify the government if the employee is no longer in their service. Finally all guest workers would have to pay income taxes on wages earned in the United States and be required to have health insurance because safeguarding our social programs is a necessary step in the guest worker aspect of immigration reform.
No Pathway to Citizenship
Citizenship reform often comes up in the immigration debate. Illegal immigrants who wish to become citizens of the United States must return to their countries of origin and apply through the appropriate channels and application processes. These applicants would go to the end of the line—behind those who have applied legally and are waiting to hear about their pending application.
Citizenship reform often comes up in the immigration debate. Illegal immigrants who wish to become citizens of the United States must return to their countries of origin and apply through the appropriate channels and application processes. These applicants would go to the end of the line—behind those who have applied legally and are waiting to hear about their pending application.
Any comprehensive immigration legislation must be thorough enough to address all of these important components. In 2008 I will remain committed to solving the crisis of illegal immigration. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me or my Legislative Assistant Evan Shoop at 202.225.2231 or email her at evan.shoop@mail.house.gov.
