Now more than ever, as America faces the threat of terrorism, we must ensure that our nation's borders are secure. As a member of the House Immigration Reform Caucus, I have been working with my colleagues to address the problems in our current policy. On December 16, 2005, I voted in favor of H.R. 4437, the Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act. In all, this bill includes over a dozen enforcement provisions that range from mandating employment eligibility verification to requiring border patrol uniforms be made in the U.S. H.R. 4437 also contains measures to provide needed visa reform, permit local involvement in immigration enforcement, implement tougher penalties for alien smuggling, and crack down on employers who hire illegal aliens. This is a meaningful piece of legislation that takes significant first steps in toughening our border security.
Like you, I strongly oppose any proposal to grant amnesty to illegal aliens. The blanket amnesty that went into effect in 1986 only promoted more illegal immigration into this country. Today, with nearly 8-10 million illegal aliens in the United States, the need to improve enforcement of our immigration laws and support provisions that make the legal immigration process viable has reached a critical juncture.
I also believe we cannot currently handle any additional temporary work visa programs. Right now, over 40% of those who obtain non-immigrant work visas in the U.S. overstay their allotted time. The Department of Homeland Security estimates that even as long ago as January 2000 the visa overstay population in the United States was 2.3 million people. It is unreasonable to believe that any guest-worker program could legitimately function, if we are not even able to enforce our current laws.
I am committed to reducing illegal immigration into our country. I support more limited and verifiable forms of immigration. Throughout our history, immigrants have made important scientific, cultural and political contributions to the United States. I believe immigration policy must ensure that the contributions of law-abiding individuals are not eclipsed by the negative impact that illegal immigration can have on our country. I will work with President Bush and the Congress to ensure that border enforcement is increased, immigration laws are enforced, and that employers hiring illegal aliens face much more stringent sanctions. I plan on doing all that I can to ensure the Senate returns a strong enforcement bill with no amnesty or guest-worker provisions.
Recently, the U.S. Congress has passed H.R. 6061, the Secure Fence Act of 2006. This bill will assist those charged with protecting U.S. borders with gaining operational control of all borders through enhanced Border Patrol operations, physical barriers, and state-of-the-art technology. The bill would require the establishment of over 700 miles of two-layered reinforced fencing along the southwest border.
One area where American citizen’s end up footing the bill when it comes to illegal immigration is in health care. With the passage of the Medicare Modernization Act, assistance will be available to health care practitioners who treat illegal aliens. Below is a description of this important new law and information that will be useful for health care providers that would like to seek compensation for this type of care:
Final Implementation Plan for Section 1011: Section 1011 of the Medicare Modernization Act (MMA) set aside $250 million a year for the next four years (FY 2005 through 2008) to help hospitals and certain other providers recoup a portion of their costs associated with providing emergency services to qualified undocumented immigrants who are uninsured or cannot afford emergency care. On July 22, 2004, CMS published a proposed implementation plan for Section 1011. We received over 100 comments from the public in response to the proposed policy and the final implementation plan takes into account many of the comments we received. Providers may seek payment for eligible services furnished starting May 10, 2005. The entire state allocation for FY 2005 will be available to providers in the state during the remaining two quarters of the fiscal year. In addition, unexpended state funding will be rolled over to the next year. CMS’ designated contractor will notify enrolled providers when and how claims may be filed. The Federal Register notice and related information collection instruments can be found at Section 1011 of MMA.
If you have any questions, please contact John Graham (202-690-8606) in the CMS Office of Legislation.
Employment Identification Information
The Law: Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA)
ICE Mutual Agreement between Government and Employers
To help employers ensure that they are building a legal workforce through voluntary partnerships with the government, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced a new initiative called the ICE Mutual Agreement between Government and Employers or IMAGE. IMAGE is designed to build cooperative relationships between government and businesses, to strengthen hiring practices, and to reduce unlawfully employing illegal aliens. The initiative also seeks to accomplish greater industry compliance and corporate due diligence through enhance federal training and education of employers. ICE strongly encourages employers to review IMAGE program materials.
By voluntarily participating in the IMAGE program, companies can reduce unauthorized employment and the use of fraudulent identity documents. As part of IMAGE, ICE and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will provide education and training on proper hiring procedures, fraudulent document detection, use of the E-Verify employment eligibility verification program and anti-discrimination procedures. Employers seeking to participate in IMAGE must agree to:
- Complete a self-assessment questionnaire;
- Enroll in E-Verify;
- Enroll in the Social Security Number Verification Service;
- Adhere to IMAGE Best Employment Practices;
- Undergo an I-9 audit conducted by ICE; and
- Review and sign an official IMAGE partnership agreement with ICE.
Upon enrollment and commitment to DHS’s best hiring practices, program participants will be deemed “IMAGE Certified” – a distinction DHS believes will become an industry standard. The results of the IMAGE program and participation in IMAGE by partners in industry will serve to guide DHS in shaping future worksite enforcement policy and legislation.
Social Security Online Information for Employers
