Immigration Issues

Congressman Baca supports an immigration policy that keeps our borders safe and recognizes the contributions of hard-working, law-abiding individuals. Congressman Baca is working hard to enact comprehensive immigration reform that will make America safer and improve the opportunities for legal immigrants. Congressman Baca supports immigration laws and believes in a policy that protects civil rights and our borders.

Enhancing Border Security

Congressman Baca believes that to keep America safe, we need immigration policies that keep terrorists and criminals from crossing our borders. That is why Congressman Baca introduced (H.R. 1464), the Immigration Security and Efficiency Enhancement Act of 2003. Congressman Baca's bill will move the immigration application process to a paperless system with integrated databases. Moving to a paperless system will make it easier for the Department of Homeland Security to identify terrorists and suspected criminals who try to enter the United States. It will also require that immigration application papers are submitted by authorized individuals, thus eliminating "notarios" and reducing the amount of fraudulent papers filed.

Restoring Food Stamp Benefits to Legal Immigrants and Children

In 2002, Congressman Baca led a successful effort to restore food stamp program eligibility to legal immigrants and children who were cut off in the 1997 Welfare Reform Act. Millions of immigrants live in hunger or food insecurity. Legal permanent residents who pay taxes should be allowed equal access to our food programs during times of need. Hunger knows no citizenship. Congressman Baca continues to monitor the implementation of this food stamp program to ensure that legal immigrants and children do not suffer from hunger.

Student Adjustment

Congressman Baca believes that hard-working, law-abiding students should be able to attend college. Many immigrant students have spent most of their lives in the United States and have achieved academic success. Like most students, they dream of a college education. However, many are prevented from fulfilling that dream because of lack of access to financial assistance or in-state tuition fees. Congressman Baca believes that children should not suffer because of the immigration status of their parents. That is why he supports (H.R. 1684), the Student Adjustment Act, which is the House version of the Dream Act. The act adjusts the status of certain college-bound students who are long-term U.S. residents. The bill has bipartisan support and would allow immigrant children the chance to become active and productive participants in society.