Immigration Reform

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R, TX) said the immigration reform bill currently before the Senate is not ready for cloture. [1] The Senator is correct given some of the essential features that are being added to the draft bill through ammendment. Two examples:

The bill must allow for weeding out antisocial types from obtaining a Z visa:

Still, several changes proposed by conservatives prevailed, including one by Cornyn that would make it easier to locate and deport illegal immigrants whose visa applications are rejected.

The bill would have barred law enforcement agencies from seeing applications for so-called Z visas that allow illegal immigrants to gain legal status. Cornyn said authorities should know if applicants have criminal records that would warrant their deportation. [2]

Opponents claim this provision will discourage applications. This, of course, is not a reasonable objection because the only people that would not come forward would be those with something to hide and they should be deported anyway.

The bill must allow for shutting off illegal immigration across our border:

Congress could block the legalization of millions of unlawful immigrants if it deemed the border too porous under a Republican proposal also slated for a vote on Thursday. [2]

Also an essential provision. Why? Because there is the nagging doubt about whether the Executive will apply the resources necessary to effectively close our borders. Without this step, we will never gain control over immigration. So, there must be a mechanism for pulling the plug and not allowing the legalization process to go forward.

The concern over resources also extends to the Z visa program. Already long lines are forming at U.S. postal facilities as citizens apply for passports. [3] What will happen when an estimated 10 to 20 million immigrants also show up to apply for visas?

Tag: immigration reform
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