:: The Scott Gardner Act ::
When members of our
local community experience tragedy, the news almost always hits hard
and too close to home. But recent headlines announcing a Virginia
Beach car wreck seem to have permeated the entire nation. Last
month, two teenage girls were rear-ended by a drunk driver and
tragically killed. The man charged with manslaughter is here in the
United States illegally and has a record of alcohol related
convictions, including a DUI conviction. Many people are wondering,
why is an illegal immigrant allowed to stay in the United States
when he has numerous criminal convictions? And furthermore, why
wasn’t he detained the first time officials realized he was an
illegal immigrant?
Since coming to
Congress in 2001, illegal immigration has topped the list of
concerns that my constituents regularly express to me. As a member
of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration and as a member
of the Immigration Reform Caucus, I have worked to see that staffing
and security are increased at our borders, that the current laws of
our nation are enforced, that our partners at the state and local
level are receiving the resources they need to combat illegal
immigration, and that the legal rights of U.S. Citizens are being
protected.
This week, in order to address some of the questions that this
unfortunate incident has created, I cosponsored H.R. 1355, the Scott
Gardner Act. The bill is named for a North Carolina man who, like
the teenage girls in Virginia Beach, was killed by an illegal
immigrant who was driving under the influence of alcohol. Like the
driver in the Virginia Beach case, this illegal immigrant had
previous DUI convictions. As the Virginia Beach headlines attest, we
are beginning to here echoes of this situation across the nation,
and it is important that we pass legislation that will strengthen
our immigration laws in order to preserve our safety.
The Scott Gardner Act includes a number of important provisions
aimed at preventing similar tragedies and providing local law
enforcement with the tools to effectively partner with the federal
government to address illegal immigration. If passed, the Scott
Gardner Act will:
-
Make DUI convictions grounds for mandatory detention and deportation
for illegal immigrants.
-
Aid the enforcement of our immigration laws by requiring the sharing
of immigration information among federal, state, and local law
enforcement agencies.
-
Improve the operation and compatibility of federal immigration and
criminal databases.
-
Require state and local law enforcement agents to collect
immigration information while in the course of normal duties and
exempt the collection of this information on individuals assisting
law enforcement.
-
Require state and local law enforcement agencies to participate in
immigration law enforcement training and will pay for it with
existing funds.
-
Increase detention facility space.
This tragedy has brought about the sharp realization for many that
our illegal immigration problem must be addressed by all levels of
government. In the weeks and months that follow, we have an
opportunity to work together. As representatives of the federal
government, legislators at the state level, elected officials in our
cities and counties, agents of our judicial system, community
leaders, and citizens, we each have a part to play and a voice to be
heard in deciding the most appropriate means to combat illegal
immigration. Although the Scott Gardner Act is only a small step
towards reforming our nation's immigration policy, it rightly moves
us towards tangible solutions, more effective communication, and
increased resources that are necessary to reduce the impact of
illegal immigration in our communities and across our nation.
:: Design the National Mall ::
The National Mall in Washington honors some of the most memorable
leaders, heroes and institutions in the history of our country. As a
resident of Virginia’s Fourth Congressional District, the National
Mall is a destination not far from reach.
People
from across the world visit the Mall to pay respects, learn about
our nation's history, celebrate, and honor our military. Each year,
an estimated 25 million visitors come to Washington, D.C. to see
where history has been and continues to be made.
The National Park Service (NPS) is planning for the future of the
National Mall and wants your involvement in the planning process.
Learn more about the National Mall and Pennsylvania Avenue National
Historic Park by reading the NPS
newsletter and
studies.
Afterwards, visit
Make a Comment and submit your ideas. Your comments will go
directly into a secure database where the NPS will track all
comments and ideas received from the public. Your comments and ideas
for the future of the National Mall will be a part of shaping the
future of America’s historical front yard.
For more information about visiting the National Mall and
Washington, D.C., please
click here.
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