Representing North Carolina’s Ninth District                                                                        

Make Your Voice Heard on Illegal Immigration

Between 1990 and 2000, our state had a 273.7% increase in foreign born population.  This was the largest increase in the nation; and doesn’t even account for our incredible growth over the past six years. 

Our illegal alien population is estimated at 300,000 to 600,000, which makes us home to the nation’s 8th largest illegal alien population.

Every day, law enforcement officers in North Carolina release illegal aliens back onto the street with a slip of paper urging them to show up for an immigration court hearing in Atlanta, GA. 

It’s no surprise that they don’t show up to a court four hours away, or eight hours away if they live in eastern North Carolina.   

North Carolina has a growing illegal immigration problem and we need all the tools and resources we can get to combat it. 

A big part of the solution to this problem is getting an immigration court.  That is why I have been calling on the Department of Justice to place an immigration court in Charlotte. 

A court would bring immigration lawyers and judges, more immigration agents to track down illegal aliens, and more immigration officers to deport illegal aliens. 

In addition to cracking down on illegal aliens, an immigration court would also help legal immigrants.  Right now, they must travel over four hours to the immigration court in Atlanta to resolve issues like simple mistakes on their paperwork.  This is a large burden on people who are trying to play by the rules. 

I have spoken with Department of Justice officials on this issue numerous times, explaining how great a need our state has for a court. 

For instance, it may shock you to know that of the ten states with the largest illegal alien population, North Carolina is the only one without an immigration court.  In addition, there are 16 other states with lower illegal alien populations, yet they all have immigration courts! 

The fact is that we have been treated unfairly.

In a recent House-passed bill, I have worked with Congressional leaders to increase funding to expand the whole immigration court system.  That way, the Department of Justice can create new immigration courts.  We must be one of them. 

This might be the last chance we have to get a court in the foreseeable future, and that is why I need your help. 

I have set up a petition on my website, www.myrick.house.gov, which calls on the Department of Justice to place an immigration court in our state.  You can sign it, and I will collect these petitions and deliver them to the Department of Justice on your behalf. 

When you go to my website, you will see that the petition is part of a comprehensive Illegal Immigration Action Plan that I have assembled.  This Action Plan will give you action items so that you can help me in the fight against illegal immigration.

Over the past few months, we have seen people march in the street for their beliefs on the immigration issue.  This is your opportunity to stand up and make your voice heard on this issue, too.

###