Thread: Shuler re-enters immigration debate with get-tough bill

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€

The Pew Hispanic Center reported Wednesday that 636,000 people entered the U.S. from Mexico in 2008, down from 1.03 million two years earlier. Meanwhile, an analysis of federal court records found 9,037 new immigration prosecutions in April, up from 6,562 in January, according to research by the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse at Syracuse University.

Weren't we lead to believe 1/2 million at the most entered a year from our southern border? now they say over a million a year

Shuler's proposal comes as two reports released this week show that immigration of Mexicans to the U.S. is slowing while immigration enforcement by the Obama administration is increasing.

Enforcement is increasing? Give me a break! Enforcement has been gutted by this administration. This jerk is going to try to convince the American people that we have enforced the laws, now it's time for amnesty.

I live in Brooklyn and have a bridge for sale...

I don't live in San Fransico but I will sell you the Golden Gate, I'm sure Arine won't care, he is selling everything else anyway

Originally Posted by SOSADFORUS

The Pew Hispanic Center reported Wednesday that 636,000 people entered the U.S. from Mexico in 2008, down from 1.03 million two years earlier. Meanwhile, an analysis of federal court records found 9,037 new immigration prosecutions in April, up from 6,562 in January, according to research by the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse at Syracuse University.

Weren't we lead to believe 1/2 million at the most entered a year from our southern border? now they say over a million a year

That's what I was thinking. Their 12 million illegals estimate is such BS! I'm willing to bet 40-50 million. And even after that, since I DO NOT recognize anchor baby citizenship, that number is probably higher.

Originally Posted by jshhmr

Originally Posted by SOSADFORUS

The Pew Hispanic Center reported Wednesday that 636,000 people entered the U.S. from Mexico in 2008, down from 1.03 million two years earlier. Meanwhile, an analysis of federal court records found 9,037 new immigration prosecutions in April, up from 6,562 in January, according to research by the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse at Syracuse University.

Weren't we lead to believe 1/2 million at the most entered a year from our southern border? now they say over a million a year

That's what I was thinking. Their 12 million illegals estimate is such BS! I'm willing to bet 40-50 million. And even after that, since I DO NOT recognize anchor baby citizenship, that number is probably higher.

I have been saying at least 38 million!

I am so glad that we will be soon giving amnesty and health insurance to all these POOR, POOR folks! Now that will do alot to stop them from sneaking in here. Go Rep. Shuler, and I will be emailing everyone in the legislature.

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

They make a good team.

Enforcement needs to start at the local health department when the illegal shows up for free prenatal care. Why are there arrests at jobsites where illegals are and not at the prenatal clinic where just as many illegals can be found? Anchor baby citizenship is just as big a magnet as the jobs.