Thread: FAIR ALERT 3/19/08

Federation for American Immigration Reform Action Alert

Washington Politicians Representing Special Interests
Instead of the American People!
Call Your Representatives Now!

Not one week after Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates testified in Congress, various sources are reporting that House leaders intend to bring up legislation that would increase high-skilled foreign worker visas. H.R. 5630, sponsored by Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ), would increase the annual cap for high-tech H-1B visas from 65,000 to 130,000 starting this year, and up to 180,000 by the year 2010. This legislation also makes it easier for foreign students who are graduates in high-tech fields to enter or stay in the U.S. and compete with U.S. graduates.(Congress Now, March 18, 200

This latest move only further illustrates how Congress is willing to bend over backwards to oblige special interests—interests determined to ensure that any enforcement legislation, such as the SAVE Act (H.R.408, does not pass Congress unless it has goodies for them. While the influence these special interests has over Congress is appalling, the move to increase the number of foreign guest workers is particularly disturbing given the fact the Labor Department announced not one week ago that the U.S. economy had lost 63,000 jobs and yesterday the Federal Reserve cut interest rates in an effort to stabilize the economy.

But the push to import more high-tech foreign workers isn't the only scheme politicians are devising behind closed doors. Just three weeks ago, House Leadership began negotiating legislation promoted by Congressman Joe Baca (D-CA), Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, that would grant 5-year amnesty visas to the 12-20 million illegal aliens currently in the country. And not two weeks ago, Congressman Bart Stupak (D-MI) began efforts to bring legislation to the House floor that would allow employers to import more unskilled H-2B guest workers. Now, Capitol Hill newspapers are reporting that House Leadership—eager to address immigration in a "comprehensive" manner—is considering a package that would contain all of these elements.

FAIR is urging all members, activists, and friends to call their Representatives and tell them they are sent to Washington to represent YOU, not special interests. Tell them you demand enforcement-only immigration legislation such as the SAVE Act (H.R.408, and will not tolerate attempts to add on legislation that will allow self-serving, greedy corporations to import more guest workers who compete with U.S. workers and drive down wages!!!!

Congress is in recess for two weeks and many members are in their home districts. Now is the time to call and fight the efforts of special interests to hijack true immigration reform legislation!!!

Now, Capitol Hill newspapers are reporting that House Leadership—eager to address immigration in a "comprehensive" manner—is considering a package that would contain all of these elements

Does anyone know if GOP House leaders (Boehner, Blunt etc.) are discussing or going along with Baca's 5-year visa amnesty scheme??

Let's make some calls!

I found this story from a week ago. Sounds like the Congressional Hispanic Caucus is holding up an increase on H2B visas until or unless they get 5-year (i.e., forever) visa amnesty for all the illegals in the country, and GOP leaders like Boehner are being pressured.

Please include House Republican leader John Boehner in your calls and tell him to firmly oppose ANY 5-year visa (forever) AMNESTY being peddled by Nancy Pelosi, Joe Baca and others:

http://johnboehner.house.gov/Contact/

Excerpt from Politico story dated 3/13/08:

[i]Regarding McCain, Boehner appears to have softened his tone on immigration reform, which McCain has championed in the past. But given fears of any amnesty, Boehner is still nervous about even short-term visas for undocumented workers — already in the U.S. illegally — as proposed by some Democrats in a trade-off for more seasonal H-2B visas sought by business.

[b]“If we can find some way to resolve this, that would be great,â€

Thank you Populist for the link. I got right to the number to call.

I just called Rep. Boehner's Office and expressed extreme frustration with these people. I was given the spill of Congressman Boehner is for Border Security and he is against amnesty. I asked if he was against amnesty like the Democrats, meaning that they keep saying that it is not amnesty. I said that I could have the fence built by now, contractors in every state working and that it has been years and that until there is a physical fence in place, there is no real border security. I told him that my county was saturated with illegals and people who we have no idea as to their real identity. I mentioned that thousands more are crossing every day.

I asked about the 5 year amnesty, H2B visas and more foreigners coming in to take jobs from Americans.

Keep the calls going and let them know we are watching and disgusted too with inaction on so many things. The Anchor Baby, Birthright Citizenship is still a gigantic magnet. It must go. Why is it not? We should mention that on every call no matter what we are addressing.

Ephesians 4:32

Agreed Pop. Thanks for following up on this.

I'm not going to be around much today, but in my spare time I will make a few calls to follow up with the leadership as well.

Also, - on a semi-related note - regarding the 'main' thread regarding the SAVE Act here (http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-108041.html ) I will add the Rep's local offices contact info so that we can continue to call them in their home districts and not have a chance to let the issue fall from memory.

I'll put the Repubs info over there in a minute. Check back later today for the Dems info as well (planned, not promised at this point... <- std. disclaimer)

HTH

Thanks GP and Phred.

GeorgiaPeach,
Did you get any feedback from Boehner's office about Baca's 5-year visa amnesty scheme?

Having problem with my internet connection staying on today Populist. The young man just repeated that Mr. Boehner is against any type of amnesty. I was very specific with 5 year (forever) amnesty that Nancy Pelosi and Mr. Baca were promoting and the allowing for more H2B workers to enter the United States. I think that once the staffer went down the talking point list he did not have much more info to give.

I do wish that others would call the Washington office for Boehner and ask the same question.

Ephesians 4:32

Thanks GP. That's more or less what I got too. We'll have to keep on him.

Others, please call Boehner and others.

We might also suggest that they attempt to change the law to eliminate the lottery system which is used.