AZ. Sen. Flake introduces compromise bill for citizenship for DACA and illegal aliens
Arizona Sen. Flake introduces compromise bill for DACA, border
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BY KTAR.COM | OCTOBER 5, 2017 AT 6:48 AM
UPDATED: OCTOBER 5, 2017 AT 9:24 AM
https://ktar.com/wp-content/uploads/...ke-620x370.jpgFILE - In this Jan. 28, 2015 file photo, Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., listens during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington.(AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake has addressed border wall security and the futures of young immigrants in the country with a compromise bill he introduced Thursday.
The Arizona Republican’s proposed legislation — the Border Security and Deferred Action Recipient Relief Act — would provide $1.6 billion in funding for border fortification and would give conditional resident status to DACA recipients and other children.
The other undocumented children have to have been living in the United States “continuously since 2012.”
The conditional status would last for 10 years if they meet certain education or employment terms. A green card could come later, as could citizenship.
“President Trump, both parties in Congress, and a majority of the nation all agree on the need for a stronger, more secure border; fair and permanent protections for DACA recipients; and the swift deportation of gang and cartel members who threaten our safety,” Flake said in a statement.
His bill arrived the same day of the deadline for young immigrants to renew their DACA status. The deferred-action program, which protects tens of thousands of “Dreamers” from deportation, was rescinded by the Trump Administration in September.
The programs ends in March.
The DACA portion also stipulates that recipients also must be “pursuing vocational or higher education, enlisted in the military, or are gainfully employed. … maintaining “good moral character,” … maintaining consistent residence in the United States for a period of ten years; and either completing their three years of military service or receiving an honorable discharge, completing their vocational or higher education, or maintaining gainful employment for four of the proceeding five years.”
Trump has said he wants Congress to come up with a solution that would “legalize DACA.”
He met with Democrats last month to move closer to a DACA deal. No agreement has been made.
This week, he met with Republican leadership.
Trump and Flake have publicly butted heads over some issues, but Arizona’s junior senator has overwhelmingly voted in agreement with the president’s position.
Parts of the bill have already passed the House with bipartisan support, including border fortification, new access roads for Border Patrol and a provision designed to deport gang members and anyone in a cartel.
https://ktar.com/story/1771393/arizo...r-daca-border/