Shuler re-enters immigration debate with get-tough bill
By Bill Theobald • wtheobal@gannett.com • July 23, 2009 12:15 AM

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WASHINGTON — Rep. Heath Shuler will again thrust himself into the contentious immigration debate today by introducing legislation to toughen enforcement.



The Secure America Through Verification and Enforcement Act mirrors in many ways the bill he introduced in the previous Congress that attracted significant bipartisan support.

The Waynesville Democrat's bill would:

• Require employers to use the federal government's E-Verify database to make sure they're hiring legal workers.

• Increase the number of Border Patrol agents by 6,000.

• Create a pilot program to increase aerial surveillance and use other new technology to secure the border.

• Hire more Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and create grants for some local law enforcement officials.

• Expedite removal of illegal immigrants by expanding detention capacity and adding immigration judges.

Shuler is scheduled to formally announce the bill at a Capitol Hill news conference that will include Sen. David Vitter, R-La.

Observers don't expect an immigration bill to pass this year because health care reform, climate change and other major issues are crowding the congressional agenda.

“Congressman Shuler thinks this is an important issue that should not be let go,â€