Thread: Fair Homeland Security Held Hostage

From: Federation for American Immigration Reform Date: 2006/09/18 Mon PM 04:58:26 EDT
Subject: FAIR Legislative Update 9-18-2006

Latest News Releases

FAIR Applauds Passage of Secure Fence Act
(September 14, 2006)

Issue Paper: Wages of Agricultural Workers
(September 7, 2006)

Homeland Security Held Hostage: New Report on Terrorism and Immigration Five Years after 9/11(September 6, 2006

Check out our Stein Report for the latest immigration news and information!

September 18, 2006


In this update:
House Passes First Item in "Border Security Now" Agenda
As Congress Punts Immigration Reform, States and Localities Pick Up the Ball and Run
New Cosponsors of Key Bills
Recent Floor Statements
Press Releases
Upcoming Events
House Passes First Item in "Border Security Now" Agenda
The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 6061, the Secure Fence Act of 2006, by a vote of 283-138 on Thursday, September 14, 2006. The Secure Fence Act, authored by Chairman of the Homeland Security Committee Peter King (R-NY), was quickly introduced and brought to the floor after House Leadership held an unprecedented public forum to discuss border security. The bill requires the Department of Homeland Security to:

Construct 700 miles of fence along the U.S.-Mexico border;
Increase use of technology at the border, such as unmanned aerial vehicles, sensors, satellites, radar, and cameras;
Enhance border infrastructure, including checkpoints, roads, and vehicle barriers; and
Study the necessity and feasibility of building a fence along the Northern border.
Many of the remaining items for the House Republican "Border Security Now" agenda will likely come to the House Floor this week for votes. The House has released its schedule for this week which includes H.R. 6089, the Illegal Immigrant Deterrence and Public Safety Act; H.R. 6090, the Effective Immigration and Community Protection Act and H.R. 6091, the Border Security Enhancement Act. FAIR will update you on the actions taken this week.

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As Congress Punts Immigration Reform, States and Localities Pick Up the Ball and Run
Ohio State Legislature

Republican leaders in the Ohio House of Representatives introduced the "Workforce Protection and Illegal Alien Enforcement Act" last week. The bill prohibits adult illegal aliens from obtaining state public assistance such as food stamps and creates a taskforce in the attorney general's office to probe companies known to employ illegal aliens. The legislation also makes illegal aliens ineligible for scholarships or financial aid at the state's public colleges and universities. An identical bill was introduced in the state Senate by Senator Gary Gates.

Suffolk County, New York

The Suffolk County Legislature in Suffolk County, New York will vote this week on a measure that would require county contractors to verify that their staffs are eligible to work in the United States. The bill, sponsored by County Executive Steve Levy, seeks to strengthen enforcement of a 20-year-old federal law that prohibits the practice of employing illegal aliens. Thirteen members of the 18-member county legislature have said they support the bill.

Culpeper, Virginia

The enforcement of zoning laws was debated last week in Culpeper, Virginia. Culpeper's Town Council voted to move toward hiring a special officer to enforce existing zoning codes. Current ordinances stipulate only five unrelated people can share a household. Other proposals before the town council include declaring English as the town's primary language and punishing employers and landlords that hire or rent to illegal aliens. As reported by the Washington Post, council member F. Steve Jenkins said, "We have an influx of illegal immigrants in our community, and we need to get a handle on the situation now."

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New Cosponsors of Key Bills
The following member signed on to good immigration legislation this past week. If your legislator is listed, please use the phone number provided to thank her for supporting good legislation. Follow the links below to learn more about these bills.

Thank this member for supporting good reform legislation!

H.R. 98 - Illegal Immigration Enforcement and Social Security Protection Act of 2005

Rep. Deborah Pryce (R-OH) (202) 225-2015
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Recent Floor Statements
Rep. Steve King (R-IA) commented on National Security (September 14, 2006)
Rep. Walter Jones (R-NC) commented on Unjust Prosecution Of Two U.S. Border Patrol Agents (September 14, 2006)
Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX) commented on Providing For Consideration Of H.R. 6061, Secure Fence Act Of 2006 (September 14, 2006)
Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) commented on Security And Accountability For Every Port Act (September 14, 2006)
Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) commented on Border Security (September 13, 2006)
Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-CO) commented A New Direction For America (September 13, 2006)
Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK) commented on Security And Accountability For Every Port Act--Continued (September 13, 2006)
Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) commented on Security And Accountability For Every Port Act (September 13, 2006)
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Press Releases
FAIR Applauds Passage of Secure Fence Act (September 14, 2006)
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Upcoming Events
United States House of Representatives will meet to consider H.R.6089, the "Illegal Immigrant Deterrence and Public Safety Act of 2006"; H.R.6090, the "Effective Immigration Enforcement and Community Protection Act of 2006"; and H.R.6091, the "Border Security Enhancement Act of 2006.", and other legislation.
When/Where: September 20, 2006, 10 AM, House Chamber.
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