Immigration Reform

At the core of the national character of the United States stand two principles: One, we are a nation of immigrants; within our borders every culture and ethnicity in the world is represented.  Almost all who live here can easily trace their ancestry to a foreign country.  Two, we are a peace-loving and law-abiding society.  The United States, more than any other country, has a stable political and economic system because we respect the rule of law that maintains the peace and prosperity we enjoy.

I have consistently maintained that there is a real need for a rational immigration policy.  As additional immigration proposals are considered in Congress, I will continue to press for an immigration policy that is built on several important principles:

     

• First, the United States must commit the resources necessary to have the strongest border enforcement realistically possible.  Preservation of the integrity of our borders is essential to both a sensible guest worker program as well as our national security.  When we have a stable and manageable guest worker and immigration system, we will be able to ensure that those who come to our country, whether they seek to come as a temporary worker or to obtain permanent residency, do so in compliance with our rule of law.

• Second, our immigration system must not grant amnesty to those who enter our country illegally.  No person who breaks the law and enters the U.S. illegally should obtain any benefit toward either permanent legal residency or citizenship as a result of their illegal conduct.  This is unfair both to American citizens and to those who have gone through legal channels for immigration to the U.S.

• Third, our guest worker programs must assure that American citizens have the first right to access available jobs.  There is significant debate about whether American citizens are losing U.S. jobs to workers from other countries.  However, this debate can be resolved by assuring that any jobs made available in a guest worker program are first available to U.S. workers.  Manageable ways to assure this have already been identified.

• Fourth, an efficient and workable guest worker program must be developed that will provide employers with a reliable, verifiable and legal system to identify guest workers who are legally in the country.

Amnesty

I oppose amnesty programs. It is a contradiction to try to curb illegal immigration by providing a path to citizenship for millions of people who entered the country illegally.

Granting amnesty rewards those who broke the law at the expense of American citizens and those who enter our country through legal channels. Additionally, amnesty only creates incentives for further illegal immigration.

Border Security

The United States must commit the resources necessary to have the strongest border enforcement realistically possible.  Preservation of the integrity of our borders is essential to both a sensible guest worker program as well as our national security in the context of the war against terrorism. When we have a stable and manageable guest worker and immigration system, we will be able to ensure that those who come to our country to work temporarily, or to remain permanently, do so within a system that protects their human rights and safety.

E-Verify

E-Verify is a voluntary program administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, in partnership with the Social Security Administration, to help certify that employees hired by companies are legally authorized to work in the United States.  The program is currently set to expire in 2012. 

On July 9, 2009, I voted in favor of H.R. 2892 the FY 2010 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Appropriations Act.  The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 84-6 and included a three-year extension of the E-Verify system. 

This version of the bill included language to make the E-Verify program permanent and require federal contractors to use the system as well as allow all employers to voluntarily use E-Verify to check the legal status of existing employees.  However, the final language included in FY 2010 DHS Appropriations Act Conference Report and signed into law simply extended the existing program for three years. 

Employers must have a reliable, verifiable, and legal system to provide employment, and I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues in Congress to find workable solutions to current border security and immigration enforcement challenges.

Guest Worker Issues

A temporary worker program ought to be focused on employment, and not an expedited path to citizenship. Moreover, guest workers should be allowed to apply for citizenship under our existing immigration laws; however, they should be required to get in line with everyone else who has followed the law.

An efficient and workable guest worker program must be developed that will provide employers with a reliable and legal system to provide employment opportunities to guest workers. It must ensure that American citizens have the first right to access available jobs. There is significant debate about whether American citizens are losing U.S. jobs to workers from other countries. However, this debate can be resolved by assuring that any jobs made available in a guest worker program are first available to U.S. workers. Manageable ways to assure this have already been identified.

A guest worker program that incorporates these principles would be fair and workable and would have broad support among U.S. citizens. Throughout the history of the United States, our immigration laws have been periodically altered and adapted to meet our changing needs and circumstances. It is clear that reforms are needed once again.

Local Costs

I have been very concerned with the impacts of illegal immigration on Idaho communities and communities across the nation that simply do not have the resources necessary to deal with the increased costs (education, medical care and incarceration costs) associated with illegal immigration.  That is one of the reasons why I have long been an advocate of strong enforcement of our border security and immigration laws.

I have also continually supported programs such as State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP) that reimburses States and localities for some of the costs associated with incarcerating illegal immigrants.  While, SCAAP, unfortunately, in no way makes communities whole, it does relieve some of the burden.  I have advocated for and cosponsored legislation to properly fund SCAAP and improve the program.   

 

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