We are one step closer to passing a landmark immigration bill in the Senate –
one that includes all of the crucial border security, interior security and employer
enforcement provisions that I called for at the outset of this debate last week.
Specifically, the latest bill proposes to: Border Enforcement Specifics:


Add nearly 15,000 additional border protection agents to augment the 20,000
Customs and Border Protection agents already on the job
Specifically authorize 1,250 border agents and 1,250 port-of entry inspection
agents
Require Defense Department cooperation on the border, e.g. unmanned drones
Begin the process of securing every inch of our 1,951 mile border with Mexico by
building walls and fences in high traffic areas and using sensors to let our
Customs and Border Patrol Agents see and hear those who try and cross through
low traffic areas
Require fingerprint database connectivity between FBI and Border Patrol

Interior Enforcement specifics:


Increase alien smuggling penalties with a mandatory minimum of 5 years
Add criminal penalties for various immigration-related document fraud
Mandate the use of expedited removal for aliens apprehended within 100 miles of
the border and 14 days of entry

Employer Enforcement specifics:


Establish nationwide, mandatory verification program for hiring workers
Limit the number of acceptable hiring documents with REAL ID standards
Authorize 2,000 new worksite enforcement agents and 1,000 anti-fraud agents

*** Enforcement, though paramount in this debate, must be balanced with compassion.
As I’ve said before, we are a nation founded by immigrants. But we are also a
nation founded on the rule of law, and it is imperative that we respect both of
these traditions. I am pleased that this legislation rejects the notion of blanket
amnesty for the roughly 11-12 million illegal immigrants currently living in this
country. The simple fact is, amnesty rewards people for breaking the law, and that
is unacceptable. This legislation does enable illegal immigrants who have been here
longer than 5 years to start down the road towards legal status – but only by
beginning at the end of the line, behind those millions around the world who are
seeking to enter America legally. And, rest assured, the criteria for citizenship
are strict and unyielding. They must:


Pass a national security and criminal background check
Have resided in the U.S. for at least 5 years
Worked a minimum of 3 years of the last 5 in the U.S.
Paid all federal and state taxes
Demonstrated knowledge of English language and American civics requirements
Pay a $2,000 fine, in addition to required application fees
Work for an additional 6 years after enactment to ensure that their status is
not adjusted before those who are already in line.

In addition, this legislation would require illegal immigrants who have been here
less than 5 years, but more than 2 years, to exit the country with the option to
return on a temporary work visa. These people could apply for a green card, but with
no guarantee as to a result. And once their work visa expires, they would be
required to leave the country. Finally, this legislation would require illegal
immigrants here less than 2 years to return home immediately or risk being deported.
Only those who return home would be eligible to begin the same process of applying
for a worker visa that every other immigrant needs to legally enter to the U.S.
Whereas the initial immigration bill reported out of the Judiciary Committee last
week would have allowed almost ALL of the 11-12 million illegal immigrants to stay
in the U.S. and transition to legal status, this bill allows only those who have
been here more than 5 years to remain … and embark on a strict and precise
path to c!
itizenship. Those who have been here less then 5 years would be required to exit
the country if they ever hope to become American citizens. As I’ve said
before, a government’s 1st responsibility is to protect its borders and ports
of entry. This legislation will enable us to uphold that responsibility, and
simultaneously send a very clear message to every new American that there is a
right way and a wrong way to enter our country. More to follow in the days ahead.

In the meantime, please click here to discuss the vital importance of border
security and immigration reform on my blog.

Bill Frist, M.D.