Thread: FAIR Legislative Update

October 3, 2005
In this update:

Hayworth Introduces Enforcement First Bill
House Approves Kolbe Measure to Reimburse State/Local Criminal Illegal Alien Incarceration Costs
Nelson Proposes Crackdown on Illegal Immigration
Tancredo Challenges Governor Richardson to Debate Immigration
Committee Approves Fee Increase for L-1 Visas
Pro-reform Legislation Gains New Support
Recent Floor Statements
Hayworth Introduces Enforcement First Bill

Rep. J.D. Hayworth (R-AZ) introduced the Enforcement First Immigration Reform Act of 2005 (H.R. 393 on Sept. 28 with 23 original cosponsors.

This comprehensive legislation, among other things:

Promotes vigorous, coordinated interior immigration enforcement
Cracks down on illegal employment and strengthens workplace enforcement
Reduces identification fraud Improves border security
Ends the practice of granting U.S. citizenship to any child born in the United States unless at least one parent is in the U.S. legally.
Modifies the composition, but not the amount, of legal immigration. (The bill increases employment-based immigration visa categories by 120,000 visas a year, while eliminating the visa lottery program (55,000 visas) and the adult sibling visa category (65,000).)
Read Hayworth's press release for further details.

House Approves Kolbe Measure to Reimburse State/Local Criminal Illegal Alien Incarceration Costs

An amendment by Rep. Jim Kolbe (R-AZ) authorizing federal reimbursements of costs incurred by state and local governments for incarcerating criminal illegal aliens was approved by the House last week as part of the Department of Justice Appropriations Authorization Act (H.R. 3402).

The amendment (H.AMDT.583) extends the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP) through 2011, increases funding levels, and clarifies that funds may only be used for correctional purposes related to criminal illegal aliens charged with at least one felony or two misdemeanor convictions for violations of local laws.

Kolbe's amendment also requires a report on state and local governments that receive SCAAP funding to determine whether they are cooperating with efforts to deport criminal aliens, have policies in violation of current law, or release criminal aliens due to lack of space or funds.

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Nelson Proposes Crackdown on Illegal Immigration

Sen. Ben Nelson (R-NB) last week outlined principles of an anti-illegal immigration bill he is developing that he hopes will address the flood of illegal immigration into the country.

"When I return to Nebraska on the weekends, not a day goes by where one of my Nebraska neighbors doesn't ask me when we are going to get tough on illegal immigration," said Nelson. "My bill will provide tougher penalties and give law enforcement the tools they need to stop the flood of illegal immigration."

Read Sen. Nelson's press release for details on his forthcoming "Secure Our Borders, Prevent Illegal Immigration Act."

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Tancredo Challenges Governor Richardson to Debate Immigration

House Immigration Reform Caucus Chairman Tom Tancredo (R-CO) sent a letter last week asking New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson to back up his rhetoric with action.

Tancredo's letter questioned the Governor's real motivation behind declaring a "state of emergency" in light of recent news reports that border emergency funding is being used by at least one of the border sheriffs to monitor the Minutemen and their efforts to aid federal border patrol.

After reviewing the Governor's response to his letter, Rep. Tancredo sent a second letter citing the Governor's poor track record regarding border security and challenged Gov. Richardson to a debate on immigration as soon as both schedules permit. Read more

Committee Approves Fee Increase for L-1 Visas

The House Judiciary Committee last Thursday approved a bill that would require employers to pay a $1500 fee for bringing intracompany foreign workers into the United States under the L-1 visa program. Despite voiced opposition by Ranking Democrat John Conyers (D-MI) and a letter of objection by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the committee approved Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Sensenbrenner's (R-WI) H.R. 3648 on a 20-6 vote.

The L-1 visa allows multinational companies to transfer employees from a foreign corporation to a U.S. branch, parent, subsidiary, or affiliate entity. L-1 visa workers can work for up to seven years in the U.S. Click here to learn how the L-1 visa has been used by big business to displace American workers.

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Pro-reform Legislation Gains New Support

The following members signed on to pro-reform legislation this past week. If your legislators are listed, please use the phone numbers provided to thank them for supporting good legislation. Follow the links below to learn more about these bills.
Thank these members for supporting good reform legislation!

H.J.RES. 53 - Count Only American Citizens Amendment

Rep. Michael Rogers (R-MI) 202-225-4872
H.R. 98 - Illegal Immigration Enforcement and Social Security Protection Act of 2005
Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA) 202-225-5672
H.R. 698 - Citizenship Reform Act of 2005
Rep. J.D. Hayworth (R-AZ) 202-225-2190
H.R. 1438 - No Social Security for Illegal Immigrants Act of 2005
Rep. Donald Manzullo (R-IL) 202-225-5676
Rep. Todd Platts (R-PA) 202-225-5836
H.R. 3137 - The CLEAR ACT of 2005
Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI) 202-225-3761
Rep. Jeff Miller (R-FL) 202-225-4136
Rep. Michael Rogers (R-MI) 202-225-4872
Rep. Charles Taylor (R-NC) 202-225-6401
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Recent Floor Statements

On September 29, Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-CA) commented on Immigration Reform.
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