I received the following response from my Representative. The memo has been widely circulated , if not by the Administration itself. I have heard Laura Ingraham, Mark Levin, Rush Limbaugh discuss it at length. It has been reported on the TV news and online. If it is just a " leak" and a testing of the waters so to speak, it has not gone over very well with the American public. Dr Burgess has always represented Texas very well and I am sure he and his staff did look into this; Dear Mr.xxxx:



Thank you for contacting me regarding immigration. I appreciate hearing from you on this important matter.



You contacted me regarding the Hinder the Administration's Legalization Temptation (HALT) Act, which is expected to be introduced by Congressman Lamar Smith (R – Texas). Congressman Smith has not introduced the HALT Act yet. If introduced and passed, with respect to immigrants, it would prevent the Obama Administration from:



1.Granting parole (expect in narrow circumstances)

2.Issuing deferred action (except in narrow circumstances)

3.Issuing extended voluntary departure to removable aliens

4.Granting work authorization to aliens on discretionary basis

5.Granting TPS to any new group of aliens

6.Waiving the three and ten year bars to admittance for aliens who have been illegally present in the United States

7.Granting cancellation of removal to illegal immigrants



This legislation is largely in response to a leaked memo from the Department of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), entitled "Administrative Alternatives to Comprehensive Immigration Reform." The memo reportedly detailed plans to formulate agency directives " in the absence" of congressional action on immigration reform, and a number of "administrative relief options to...reduce the threat of removal for certain individuals present in the United States without authorization." The memo also reportedly stated that USCIS "can extend benefits and/or protections to many [such] individuals and groups."



Administration officials maintain that the memo was never circulated, and that it does not reflect attempts by the executive branch to curtail the legislative process. I have repeatedly stated that some type of immigration reform is needed; human trafficking and other forms of violence along our southern borders are rampant. I do not feel, however, that the Administration has the authority to enact over-reaching reform such as amnesty without congressional authority to try to solve these problems. Any attempts to do so should be closely monitored and reviewed by Congress.



As a representative from a border state, it is not hard to see firsthand the negative impact that illegal immigration can have on communities. I am committed to reducing illegal immigration into our country. I will work hard to ensure that border security is increased, immigration laws are enforced, and that employers hiring illegal aliens face more stringent sanctions.



I strongly oppose any proposal to grant amnesty to illegal aliens. The blanket amnesty that went into effect in 1986 actually led to more illegal immigration into this country. Today, with nearly 8-10 million illegal aliens in the United States, it is critically important that we increase enforcement of our immigration laws and provide a viable mechanism for legal immigration. Granting amnesty to individuals who have illegally entered our country is nothing more than rewarding illegal behavior and should be avoided at all costs.



Thank you again for contacting me. It is an honor to represent you in the House of Representatives. Feel free to visit my website (www.house.gov/burgess) or contact me with any future concerns.


Sincerely,

Michael C. Burgess, M.D.
Member of Congress