Immigration
Read Bart's Views on Current Issues
On November 6, 2007, I joined a bi-partisan group of my colleagues in introducing the Secure America through Verification and Enforcement Act (H.R. 4088). A group of more than eighty lawmakers came together to introduce common sense illegal immigration legislation that would protect America’s borders.
It is estimated that over 12 million people are currently in the United States illegally, and thousands more are coming in every week. I understand that Americans are very upset at their government for not taking enforcement action to protect our borders. With illegal immigration and border protection being two of the most important issues facing our nation, I was proud to join so many of my colleagues from around the country to work for practical solutions to these challenges.
The SAVE Act consists of a three part plan to prevent illegal immigration with a strict emphasis on enforcement of our laws, protecting our borders, and accountability through employment verification. This legislation would address enforcement and border protection by increasing manpower and making needed technological and infrastructure improvements on America’s northern and southern borders.
Specifically, the bill would add 8,000 new Border Patrol Agents and provide them the infrastructure they need to prevent illegal immigration while protecting our communities. As co-chair of the Northern Border Caucus, I was successful in including a provision in the bill that would strengthen security along America’s northern border with Canada. This provision would double the number of Border Patrol Agents along the northern border in five years by requiring that 20 percent of the new agents are stationed on the northern border.
The SAVE Act would also expand the E-Verify program to ensure employers hire only those who are legally allowed to work in the United States. This program provides employers with an inexpensive, quick, and accurate way to verify employment eligibility.
In addition, the bill would provide the tools, resources and infrastructure necessary to enforce existing federal laws and hold offenders accountable. Specifically, H.R. 4088 would increase the investigative abilities of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), provide ICE more agents and more training, and offer assistance and aid to state and local law enforcement to protect our border.
The SAVE Act has been referred to the appropriate Committees of jurisdiction. Please be assured that I will continue to work with my colleagues to enact this common sense immigration legislation that would protect America’s borders.
