Bilbray Praises Efforts to Bring Immigration Reform Bill to House Floor

(Washington D.C.)- The Secure America with Verification and Enforcement Act (SAVE Act), a tough bipartisan immigration reform bill that has the solid backing of Congressman Brian Bilbray, could be coming to the House floor for consideration soon following a decision today by Republican leaders to launch a discharge petition. If the discharge petition is signed by 218 members of Congress (a majority), the SAVE Act would be “discharged” from committee consideration and taken up by the full House of Representatives.

“The SAVE Act is a crucial piece of legislation that will dramatically improve our nation’s ability to secure its borders and help employers determine if prospective employees are legally entitled to work in the United States,” said Congressman Bilbray, who serves as Chairman of the Immigration Reform Caucus. “I am very pleased that this discharge petition has been launched.” Earlier today, Bilbray became the second member of Congress to sign the petition.

Highlights of the SAVE Act include:

• 8,000 new border patrol agents.
• 1,200 new ICE agents who will strengthen interior enforcement and provide specialized training and support to local law enforcement officers.
• 13 new federal judges to hear cases against those who commit crimes along the border.
• 8,000 detention facility beds for those who are awaiting trial or deportation.
• Requires that all employers utilize the E-verify program, a web-based system that allows them to check the legal status of prospective employees.
• Provides for the acquirement of advanced technologies along the border, including aerial surveillance systems, infrared technology, ground sensors, and improved satellite communications.
• Includes no provision for amnesty.

Authored by Rep. Heath Shuler (D-NC), the SAVE Act already has an extraordinarily high level of bipartisan support. To date, 48 Democrats and 93 Republicans have signed on as co-sponsors. It also has a broad cross-section of support from organizations such as the 9/11 Families for a Secure America, the National Federation of Independent Business, the National Association of Police Organizations, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Numbers USA, the Federation for American Immigration Reform, agriculture organizations, and many others.

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